#823_tl

[82mitsu]

Previously translated pair names that had been posted to Twitter. However corrections had to be made (misinterpretations & an instance of mistranslation), so this is version 2.

Note: This is the only translated thing I will be posting, I am not off hiatus. I had been meaning to archive this before my hiatus, but I also had to fix some things, which is why there was a delay.

Please consult to this post only regarding pair name translations done by me (82mitsu), any other posts or reposts you might see of this chart is the older version. (Previous version has been deleted, but I'm unaware how far the information had spread.)

If any other corrections need to be made, feel free to contact me and I'll make them as soon as possible.

Below follows an extreme lengthy TL note breaking down some pair names, it's a lot of text, so be warned once you unfold the read more.

A lot of research went into these due to 18TRIPs tendency to mix up words, use Gen-Z slang that hasn’t been picked up by everyone yet (or limited to TikTok) and make up their own words (“Omotenashisto” -> “Hospitalister”). I used dictionaries, searched forum results, looked up how people use these words on social media, went TikTok digging, etc.

I tried my best to localize in a way that should make sense even without added context. I only explained the ones that I thought might needed some more back-up in a cultural sense or because it was a specific JPN thing. Thus, not everything has been explained. However, I hope things are clearer compared to the first version that was posted. For Renga & Yukikaze: For ぽゆぽゆ (poyupoyu) there is no definition or anything for this word, but from context clues and digging through how people used it, I deduced that it means something soft and squishy like a plushie or cheeks, so to say. For Renga & Liguang: かりそめの宿縁 (karisome no shukuen) is a Japanese saying about a fated connection of bond that only lasts for a brief moment, but leaves a deep impact on your life. For Renga & Raito: Party is mispelled in the katakana as “paachii” and not the usual “paatii”. Renga has a tendecy to say English words wrong. While “friends” is spelled the correct way, both words have been “mispelled” to drive the point home. For Renga & Kinari: なぁぜなぁぜ (naaze, naaze) is JPN Gen-Z slang from Tiktok. It’s a statement made as an act for complaining, with a bit of sarcasm and irony thrown in at times. Like, “I said I wanna diet but I ate a big meal anyway! なぁぜなぁぜ” or “I’m an idol but I get more anxious doing improv than performances! なぁぜなぁぜ”. Best way I can describe the usage in this context is Renga is throwing a bit of a self-aware tantrum as to why Kinari would correct him. (As mentioned earlier, he isn’t good at English). I guessed a close equivalent would be “nuh-uh”, since that is a dismissal of someone else’s opinion without actual good reason, even if the other person has a point. For Renga & Netaro: まんまん (manman) means “a lot” but I also believe it’s a reference to meatbuns (nikuman). For Kafka & Yodaka: Hanbei is Takenaka Shigeharu, a Japanese samurai from the Sengoku era. He was known for being Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s strategist. For Liguang & Yodaka: 闘牌伝 (touhaiden) is related to Mahjong stuff. 闘牌伝 seems to be an old timey Mahjong video game with RPG elements. Rekka is a fighting game term, and I will quote the website The Fighting Game Glossary by Infil on this: “A type of special move that has multiple stages, as long as you input more commands to continue the sequence. Not all multi-part specials can be called rekkas though; a rekka tends to have exactly three distinct parts and will move your character forward along the ground with each new input.”  For Akuta & Nanaki: They went to the same kindergarten and were grouped together in the “Oden Class”. Japanese kindergartens, from my understanding from researching, tend to have a name for their class, rather than a number. To give an idea what such names could be, in 2019 the website hyenasclubs hosted a poll of most commonly used names for classes, and the top 3 were “baby chick” (hiyoko), “peach” (momo) and “dandelion” (tanpopo). For Akuta & Muneuji: My take on はっけよい輝矢部屋 (hakkeyoi kaguya heya) is a bit of an elaborate bit joking with Princess Kaguya of the Moon (from Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) because I was wondering why they suddenly opted for Muneuji’s last name instead of first. (I might’ve also just overestimated Kaguya Heya being some joke on Kaguya Hime). Hakkeyoi is what a referee shouts at the start of a sumo wrestling match. For Akuta & Ushio: I think ポジティブに腕押し (positive ni ude oshi) is a take on 暖簾に腕押し (noren ni ude oshi) that means something has no effect or is pointless. Lit. it means “pushing a curtain with one's arm”.    For Akuta & Tao: Akuta Nine is a joke on the baseball movie Gyakkyo Nine which is an adaptation of the manga of the same series, I believe. The movie is referred to as GK9, hence I made it AKT9.  For Akuta & Ryui: The original is OYAxKOBU which comes from 親分子分 (oyabunkobun) meaning “boss and his underlings”. Akuta also calls Ryui by “Oyabun”.

For Kiroku & Nanaki: Weebs who watch highschool anime should be familiar with this, but emergency staircase refers to the hallway stairs in a JPN highschool that are sometimes used as chilling out spots by students. For Kiroku & Chihiro: TuRyStA is the clothing brand they wear. 18TRIP has a various selection of clothing brands, which each character having a preference for one or another. For Kiroku & Yodaka: Zhao Yun, as quoted by Wikipedia, “was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China.” For Ushio & Raito: Some heavy freedom was taken with バスボムしゅわリスト (basubamu shuwaristo). After considering how to approach it in the most sensical way, I decided to translate it as “bubblist” due the other options being “hand sign list” or “bubble list”. I thought リスト might function as in -ist, like dentist, artist, guitarist. しゅわ comes from しゅわしゅわ which means bubbly. Although bubblist isn’t not that common, it is sometimes referred to entertainers that do bubble performances (in English). And I think it made more sense than “hand sign list” or “bubble list” to say the least. This was also taking in consideration how 18TRIP, as explained in the intro, gets very creative with its language usage. For Raito & Nagi: Mandarin ducks symbolize “soulmates” of some kind in China. In other words, Mandarin Duck Touring is more along the lines of “Motorcycle touring soulmates”. However, I find the mandarin duck reference and interesting pull compared to just “soulmates”, so it was kept as is. For Kinari & Ryui: “Super Darling Gap Inspection” is more along the original lines. “Gap” in Japanese is usually used in the context of when someone acts one way, but unexpectedly, can act a different way. Ex. A very shy person shows they can be super vulgar, that can be considered a “gap” of some kind. In English, people are more familiar with “gap moe”, thus gap moe was used. For Tao & Nagi: Might be a reference to Yokohama’s Zo-no-hana (Elephant Nose) Park. For Toi & Yodaka: The original is more along the lines of, in the most literal sense, “going around raisins circle (of friends).” Toi likes raisins, but Yodaka doesn’t, so Yodaka passes them onto Toi. I’ve turned into on a play on “sharing is caring” since that’s a common concept in English.

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} The Mayor Wards' Oshi Quiz

Ever find yourself in a bind when discovering a game and seeing there's so many bishounen and ikemen you just do not know who to pick as your oshi...!?

Well, 18TRIP's got you covered with their Oshi Quiz!

As the website says:

Answer to the 10 given questions, and we will predict which of the HAMA 18 Mayor Wards will end up in your top 3 as your potential oshi!

Now that's not the only kicker, each top 3 candidate has their own little quip given on their ranking. This post will cover all questions, answers to the questions, and answers to the answers of your questions~!

BTW, big shoutout and thanks to @sasaranurude for extracting all of the quiz results, this wouldn't have been possible to have been put together so quick w/o their help!

EDIT: When this was originally posted, not all quiz forms were included, it has been done now! There should be a total of 3 variants of the quiz you can take.

So sit tight & make sure your seatbelts fastened, it's time to go on a ride and take the Oshi Quiz! (warning: very long translation under the cut)

QUIZ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q1: What kind of atmosphere (cute, cool, elegant and such) do you prefer in terms of appearance?

A childlike (face) and charming atmosphere

A cold and mature atmosphere

Individualistic and unique atmosphere

What matters the most is on the inside.

Q2: What kind of personality are you fascinated by? 

A cheerful, charming disposition

One with gentle demeanor

Intellectual

Honest

Mysterious

Eccentric

From here on out questions may vary. You will either get quiz form A, B or C. The quiz itself does not randomize these questions and are rather different variants.

Q3:

(A) What style of clothing are you attracted to? (どんな服装を魅力的に感じますか？)

Formal

Casual

Sporty

Committed to being original

I don’t really pay attention to it

(B) What shape of eyes do you like? (目の形状の好みはありますか？)

Round eyes

Droopy eyes

Slanted eyes

Narrow/half-open eyes

I don't really pay attention to it

(C) What kind of person do you tend to like? (どんなスタイルの人を好きになりやすいですか？)

Tall type

Small type

I don't really pay attention to it

Q4:

(A) When it comes to doing something, do you prefer the type that challenges new things, or the type that plays it safe? (何かをする際に、新しいことに挑戦するタイプ、安全を選ぶタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that challenges new things

The type that plays it safe

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type bad with crowds of people, or the the sociable type? (人混みが苦手なタイプ、人と交流するのが好きなタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type bad with crowds of people

The sociable type

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the type that plans everything out, or the type that doesn't make plans? (物事を計画的に進めるタイプ、行き当たりばったりのタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that plans everything out

The type that doesn't make plans

None of these are my type

Q5:

(A) Which do you prefer, the type that's open about his feelings, or the type that listens more than he speaks? (頻繁に意見を言うタイプ、聞く方が多いタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that's open about his feelings

The type that listens more than he speaks

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type that speaks what on his mind, or the type that bottles everything up? (本心を表情に出すタイプ、内に秘めるタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that speaks what on his mind

The type that bottles everything up

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the type that worries about the small things, or the type that's open-minded? (細かいことを気にするタイプ、大らかなタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The type that worries about the small things

The type that's open-minded

None of these are my type

Q6:

(A) Which do you prefer, the type that’s good at taking care of you, or the type that you want to care of? (面倒見が良いほうが良いタイプ、面倒見たくなるタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that’s good at taking care of you

The type that you want to care of

None of these are my type

(B) Which do you prefer, the type that is considerate towards others, or the type that speaks his mind without holding back? (他人を気遣い遠慮するタイプ、遠慮せずに意見を言うタイプのどちらが好きか？)

The type that is considerate towards others

Type that speaks his mind without holding back

None of these are my type

(C) Which do you prefer, the spontaneous type or the type that does as told? (自発的に行動するタイプ、言われたことをこなすタイプのどちらが好きか?)

The spontaneous type

The type that does as told

None of these are my type

Q7:

(A) What is your type when it comes to how he feels about himself? (自分自身のことをどう思っているタイプが好き？)

He loves himself

He hasn’t no confidence

Doesn’t like nor dislike himself

Doesn’t dislike himself but does have an inferiority complex. 

(B) Would you prefer that he has a lot of experience in love? (恋愛経験は豊富なほうがよい？)

Having a lot is good

Not having a lot is good

A reasonable amount is good

Whichever is fine

(C) Would you prefer that he's carrying a lot of emotional baggage regarding his past? (重い過去を背負っているほうがよい？)

That's good

It's better to not let him get dragged down by it

Whichever is fine

Q8:

(A) Imagine your ideal type, if he existed in reality, whether at work or at school, what kind of role would he be in your life? (あなたの理想のタイプが、実際に職場や同じクラスに存在したらどんなポジションになっていそうですか？)

He everyone’s favorite guy

The oddball within the group

You’re both involved with each other, for better or for worse

You keep your distance from each other

(B) Which unexpected side of him would be to your liking? (どんな意外な一面があると良いですか?)

A lonely side

A cold side

A family-oriented side

A clingy side

Unexpected sides are unneccessary

(C) Which type is to your liking when it comes to line of thinking? (どちらの思考タイプが好きですか?)

I like the type that enjoys causing burdens to others

I like the type that finds it fullfilling to put burdens on themselves

None of these are my type

Q9:

(A) What is your preferred type when it comes to customer service to clients at a travel agency? (旅行代理店にきたお客さんにどんな接客をするタイプが好きですか？)

Receiving a lot of proposals in any kind of case

Carefully listens to your demands and then put everything nicely together in the end

Gives simple answers regarding the necessary information

Gives suggestions with a twist to them

(B) When facing thing's he's bad at, or scared of, what kind of reaction aligns with your type? (苦手なものや怖いものに直面した時、どんな反応をするタイプが好き？)

Gets meek and hates it / gets scared

Puts on a brave front

Pretends to be chill in order to not expose himself

(C) Imagine a situation where he has to lie, what kind of lie would you prefer? (もし嘘をつく場面があるとしたらどんなふうに嘘をつくタイプが好き？)

Lying as an act of self-protection

Lying for the sake of wanting to protect something else other than himself

Tells lies on the regular

Can't tell lies due to being honest (gets exposed)

Q10:

(A) When travelling abroad with your family, what kind of behavior is to your liking? (家族と海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Taking initiative and making plans

Leave the planning to family

If the plane ride and hotel is secured, simply succumbing to the flow of things

(B) When traveling abroad alone, what kind of behavior is to your liking ? (ひとりで海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Everything is planned out to a T

Not making any plans, just letting yourself go with the flow

There's days where there's plans, and there's days where there aren't any plans

(C) When traveling abroad with your friends, what kind of behavior is to your liking (友人と海外旅行にいくときにどんな行動をするタイプが魅力的ですか？)

Taking initiative and making plans

Leave the planning to friends

Dividing the plans amongst friends

If the plane ride and hotel is secured, simply succumbing to the flow of things

END OF QUIZ

Now after taking the quiz, you get your top 3. Each character reacts differently to where they ended up ranking. Now follows a translation of all of these quotes~ Here was my result, by the way!

Again, big thanks to my friend for extracting all the info from the site to have made this possible. If you wish to see all of the original quotes as is, please send a MSG and I will privately provide the spreadsheet link.

QUIZ RESULTS

Renga Nishizono

FIRST: 1st place…!? I’m h-hap… Ahem, ahem. This is a natural outcome for a first class celeb like me! So um, do you want, like an autograph or…? 

SECOND: I’m grateful to be in 2nd place… but don’t you dare believe that makes me a second-rate celeb for ending up here!

THIRD: I, me out of all people, am in 3rd!? W-well, I’m content enough that I’m included… Wait, don’t tell me I ranked lower than Liguang, right!?

Kafka Oguro

FIST: I thought it was a given how I’d end up being in 1st place for you, but… it still makes me happy. Obviously, you’re my number one too.♪ 

SECOND: 2nd place… Guess stuff like this isn’t out of the question. …Actually, no way Yukikaze is in first place… right?

THIRD: Grr… 3rd place, huh. Well, too bad I don’t know when to quit. Guess I’ll have to start planning out a strategy to become your number one. 

Ten Murakumo

FIRST: My condolences for getting me in 1st~ lol. Ain’tcha got people often rattling off how your god awful taste in men won’t ever make you happy? 

SECOND: Yeah, 2nd place’s just comfy enough for both of us. How’ bout we go have the kinda fun you can’t get with Mr. First Choice? Lil missy. 

THIRD: Uwah~ Nice you got buncha guys to fawn over, eh. Well, seeing I’m here all on my own means I gotta give ya the cold shoulder treatment, no? 

Yukikaze Kamina

FIRST: …Receiving a golden medal from you? I can’t contain my happiness. I’m going to end up cooking a boatload of gyoza at this rate tonight. 

SECOND: While the media might refer to me as the Silver Collector… I’ll work hard enough in order to become your gold.

THIRD: Even if I’m bronze to you, you will always be the gold prize to me… Remember that.

Lu Liguang

FIRST: You want to be number one in the Lùróng Family...? So you got what it takes to carry out your duties, huh. If you do, I’ll also take a fair share of the responsibility.

SECOND: Your second choice is the Lùróng Family...? The likes of you wanting to be under my wing is quite a bold move. You’re funny, I’ll give you that.

THIRD: I get why you applied, but you’re not qualified given how your required level of competence isn’t there yet. You’re rejected. Go redo your application. 

Akuta Isotake

FIRST: Ah, did I win Best Director and Male Leading Actor…!? Does this mean I’ll get treated to steak as congrats…?

SECOND: Oh, did I win Best Director and Male Supporting Actor…!? Are you gonna buy me my fav snacks as congrats…?

THIRD: C’mon I gotta be in 1st~ Pretty sure you need to pick the unique options and all for each question. So, how ‘bout one more round? 

Kiroku Kinugawa

FIRST: …! …1st, place… As thanks… I’ll make you… a drawing. Do you have, any requests…?

SECOND: 2nd… Um, since my little sister, taught me, how to text by pager… “999”. D-did you, get what I said…? 

THIRD: …I’m not, that interesting… But… 3rd place… makes me happy. When I go pick up, my little sister… I’ll tell her. 

TL note: 999 is サンキュー(thanks) in pager code. 

Nanaki Nanamegi

FIRST: Huh… I’m Chief’s number one…? To me, you’re obviously also, like, if I had to…! Ah, I’ll hit the character limit… 

SECOND: Um… I’m happy with being second. It’s like the second movement of a sonata… the gentle and quiet part so to speak, which I really love. 

THIRD: Of course I’m happy even if I’m in third. Being third out of 20 people, means we do have a lot of chemistry, right…? 

Muneuji Kaguya

FIRST: The first star in our solar system is Mercury. Mercury is a small star yet has high density. That is the kind of man I wish to be. 

SECOND: The second star in our solar system is Venus. The temperature on the ground surface is approximately 470° degrees… Yet, there is a certain romance precisely because you can’t set foot on it. 

THIRD: Do you know what the third star in our solar system is? …Yes, that is our very own Earth that we live on. Therefore, the Earth must also be included in my gratitude.

Ushio Kurama

FIRST: Getting me in 1st… you plan on stanning me? Hold up, who’s on the right side of the slash? I won’t hesitate to report you if you’re getting any weird ideas. 

SECOND: Seeing Reito getting 2nd in Patti-battle!’s third popularity poll made me happy and prou… Uh, nevermind me. 

THIRD: Times like these just calls for a character to go like, “Damnit, I lost to ___!”...I won’t be saying that though. 

TL note: Amongst JP otaku, ‘left’ or ‘right’ is a heated debate in ships, or fictional character pairings. On the left, you have the more dominating character, and on the right, you have the more submissive character. Be wary to not trigger any landmines when reversing the order… TL note2: Unsure how to read 礼人 precisely, so I have settled for Reito. This will be changed once more information has been revealed about Patti-battle!

Raito Kitakata

FIRST: I’m happy to be in 1st place. By the way, there is a house style ramen restaurant that I have as number one on my recommendation list, how about we go there together? 

SECOND: I have a pet theory where a restaurant’s philosophy shines through its 2nd most popular item on the menu. Which means I ended up ranking in a significant place. 

THIRD: 3rd place, huh. I’m grateful but currently, more than anything, I have an intense craving to slurp on some noodles ASAP. I’ll catch you later. 

Kinari Azekawa

FIRST: Verification of compliance with Master's ideals registered. Efforts will be made to elevate my performance further going forward. 

SECOND: Verification of the potential margin to elevate performance further registered. Feedback for the sake of becoming Master’s “bias” is kindly requested. 

THIRD: Verification of failure to comply with Master’s ideals registered. Room for improvement is present. Please input instructions for desired behavioral patterns. 

Chihiro Natsuyaki

FIRST: Chii’s 1st in the bias ranking!? Isn’t your taste like way too good!? Gonna go sicko mode on the fanservice☆ 

SECOND: 2nd place means like, you’ll be on TV till the last sec even on survival shows, aka just the right amount of delish~ So I’mma leave a buncha marks on you♪

THIRD: 3rd! Just within reach… but, I’m happy enough for being included~ …Srsly, it’s like, heaven and hell.

Tao Kinouchi

FIRST: Eh, me in 1st…? Uwah, kinda feeling humbled here, or well… Just in case, it’s not some prank or whatever like, right? 

SECOND: 2nd place’s also not for me. I wanna live up to expectations and stuff, but hearing others out is about all I can do… if that’s up your alley, then I’m always good to go.

THIRD: I’m just happy to end up ranking anything, but for me this is just right that I can sigh with relief and calm down. I was on edge earlier. 

Kuguri Domeki

FIRST: To have me in 1st… How adorably pathetic. I’ll give you the mercy of touching my body as a reward. So, where would you like to feel me up the most?

SECOND: The 2nd place you want to touch is… my collarbones? …Hmmm. Not that I care much, but you have some banal, disappointing tastes. 

THIRD: Leaving me behind in 3rd… You have some nerve. Looks like someone wants to get retrained by me from scratch.

Nagi Hachioya

FIRST: …Huh. I’m 1st? I’m so surprised I fail to understand… But as thanks…  I’ll become your servant for as long as you live. Or do I offer my kidney… 

SECOND: 2nd, thanks. I’m happy… Right, here’s a flower as some thanks… ah, nevermind… the bottom of the basket fell off… 

THIRD: 3rd… I don’t deserve this. As thanks you can have this horsetail. Did you know these are pretty delicious when used to cook tamago toji? 

TL note: Tamago toji is a Japanese soup dish where, for examples, vegetables are cooked in dashi broth and beaten eggs are added to make a kind of soup. 

Ryui Shiramitsu

FIRST: This ain’t the time to be stanning me! Go back right now, redo it until you get Toi in 1st!

SECOND: Oi, Toi better be ahead of me, yeah…? Not gonna let you have it if he isn’t…

THIRD: It’s not like I give a crap about being stanned or whatever. Just, if you feel like cooperating with me, you better guarantee Toi’s safety.

Toi Shiramitsu

FIRST: I’m your best boy…? I’m so happy! I’ll tell your fortune of the day as thanks… Wah, looks like your fortune’s as good as it can get♪

SECOND: You kindly graced me with 2nd place! Your fortune of the day is… slightly good luck. Take in all the small bits of happiness. 

THIRD:  Please let me do some fortune telling for you. Your fortune of the day is… Howawa, bad luck!? Watch out for any unexpected banana peels! 

Yodaka Natsume

FIRST: …Hm. If I remember correctly, your driving technique led to a violent explosion right at the last corner… I wonder if our machines would’ve ended up 1st. 

SECOND: …Hmn. Right… I ended up 2nd in the Senbatsu General Election. So the center of the debut single will be you… Congratulations.

THIRD: …Ngh. I also tried chasing after Liguang’s riichi when he went all in during oorasu… As a consequence, I discarded a tile, lost and ended up in 3rd. A shame.

TL note: Senbatsu General Election is an annual event where fans of AKB48 and adjacent groups can vote for their faves. More info here.  TL note2: I will simply link this wiki page to get enlightened about mahjong terms. 

Netaro Yowa

FIRST: Wahey, I landed 1st~♪ Which means I may do whatever I want to, yes? Which then means you’ll become my guinea pig, yes? 

SECOND: I am not dissatisfied with landing in 2nd place, yet I shall cast an enthralling spell onto you! Feast upon this enchanted meat bun!

THIRD: 3rd~? How dicey~... Well, I will thank you. A special gift of 2,7 mystery buns planned for disposal~

TL note: Bad foresight on me not seeing メロメロリン coming back again. For now, I will simply make it be something to “casting an enthralling spell” like in the previous instance until I workshop it into something better? 

That’s the end!

Thank you, thank you!

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A01 Inauguration of the 0th Ward Mayor

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

Opening note:

I am playing with the male player character, canon name Kaede Hamasaki, and will be simply referred to as Kaede in the translation. It’s a choice made due to the characters referring to the player character in their own ways (switching between first & last name, using honorifics) and I don’t want to make it sound clunky by using “player” or “MC”, or alter when first or last name is used (due to the importance of it in the JPN language). However, the gender of the player character has 0 impact on the story, and the experience is the same regardless of male or female main character.

The morning comes.

No matter how painful the days you live through are. Even when you can’t see ahead within the darkness.

The sun is born anew every day and shines a light upon you as you are without pretense.

However, basking in the bright sunshine sometimes brings hope to our hearts, too.

Try to look ahead and walk.

If you can walk ahead with just one step, it will feel as if you can start the long journey that we call life.

Which makes today, without a doubt, a new beginning in my life.

TV station announcer: Here we are at the venue for the inauguration of HAMA’s 0th Ward Mayor. After being unable to meet the quota of tourists for two years in a row, HAMA is now drawing attention to the question of whether it can remain a special tourism ward or not.  

TV station announcer: Please look at this! There’s crowds of people at the venue and surrounding area—expectations for today's inauguration of the 0th Ward Mayor can be heard from all over! We will continue to report onsite! 

Kaede: (Even national TV stations are reporting on the inauguration… It’s a bigger deal than I imagined. It's a given when you think about it more thoroughly. Whether HAMA can remain a special tourism ward or not has caught the attention of each and every region.)

Kaede: (Kafka replacing his father, who served as the 0th Ward Mayor up until now, on such a big stage… I wonder if he isn’t nervous about it. Uweh, I feel the stress in my stomach.)

Kaede: (But! That difficult surgery was an easy success, and the rehabilitation also went great. If it’s Kafka we’re talking about… I’m sure it’ll be okay!)

Host: Uuuh, all ward residents of HAMA, the inauguration will commence shortly. To open the ceremony, the current 0th Ward Mayor Oguro Rihito and HAMA’s auditor, the 8th Mayor Ward of Tokyo, Shigematsu Hakkei will be taking the podium.

HAMA ward resident A: The change really is happening. Well… the current Ward Mayor wasn’t reliable, to be honest…

HAMA ward resident B: But look at that, his replacement is his son, no? I heard that he’s only 20 years old. Will this be okay?

HAMA ward resident C: My place keeps on bleeding customers since last year… If the special tourism ward status is revoked this year, then HAMA’s done for. Just ask yourself how many restaurants have gone outta business this year. 

HAMA ward resident A: Financial support from the capital is as minimal as it can get… Makes you wonder if swapping out the Ward Mayor will do any good. 

HAMA ward resident D: The special tourism ward collapses… taxes rise up to the heavens… companies stoop to bankruptcy… the end of life……  ruination destruction eradication extinction…

Kaede: (Uuuh… all this negativity left and right… But, I do understand everyone’s worries.)

Kaede: (Kafka’s dad… he’s a good person, but he honestly, genuinely doesn’t have the capability to be in charge. He’s the type to get deceived because he’s too nice for his own good…) 

Kaede: (Kafka is the one that’s more fit for this role than his dad, I think… Even then, we only have a year left in terms of time. Just how does Kafka intend to get over such a high hurdle?)

Kaede: (Still, it’s already set in stone that Kafka and I will restore HAMA together. Today’s inauguration has gotta make us understand what Kafka’s thinking. Let’s hear him out!)

Host: Thank you for waiting! The one who will assume the new role as Ward Mayor, Oguro Kafka, will take the podium!

Kafka: It’s a pleasure to meet you all, ward residents. As he said, I am Oguro Kafka. From now on I will be conducting the succession ceremony for the 0th Ward Mayor.

HAMA ward resident C: Seriously man, that guy really is just a lil’ kid. Look at that guy, Tokyo’s 8th Ward Mayor’s face. Disapproval is written all over it. 

HAMA ward resident B: It is said that supervisor Shigematsu-san is relentless. The special tourism ward will be gone with the wind if that man’s tourism reviews are low…

HAMA ward resident D: An explosion from Tokyo’s 8th Ward Mayor’s glare… An explosion from the disdain for the 0th Ward Mayor… An explosion of the unlivable city of HAMA…. An explosion for the special tourism ward to fall…  An explosion to end all that lives…

Kaede: (Uwawah… the worst of worst impressions…! I wonder if Kafka’s holding up.)

Kafka: Ahem. I am hearing concerns being voiced from all over. And of course there would be, since everyone has to be wondering what a little boy ignorant of the world can even do on his own.

Rihito: Ka- Kafka…!? The script says here that we succession should go peacefully. W-what’s the matter….!?

Kafka: Aaah, it’ll be okay, dad. Don’t let the sweat start forming obvious drops on your face.

Hakkei: Hmph, it seems that your son has no intention to properly put the effort in to begin with, Rihito. Are you truly going to pass your position as the 0th Ward Mayor to him?

Kafka: No need to be concerned. Esteemed 8th Ward Mayor of Tokyo. My father and I have discussed between ourselves that, if my surgery were a success, I would inherit his role as Ward Mayor. I ask if you could please refrain from suddenly interfering in decisions made between a parent and their child.   

Hakkei: Decisions made between family? This is a concern that will influence HAMA in its entirety—that I happen to have no say in the matter leaves me astonished.

Hakkei: Looks like someone has forgotten that the one who makes the final decision on how the financial support from the capital is distributed is no other than me. 

Kafka: Financial support… hmm.

HAMA ward resident A: Hey hey, aren’t they kinda fighting on stage? Tension’s been rough since the beginning…

HAMA ward resident D: Current Ward Mayor shaking… New Ward Mayor glaring… Tokyo’s Ward Mayor unrelenting… A sign of HAMA’s ending… 

Host: W-we’re moving on to the succession ceremony now! By your leave I, the host, will recite the statement of succession!

Host: Current 0th Ward Mayor, Oguro Rihito, will pass the torch of his authority over leading the tourism industry in all of HAMA’s 18 wards to the new 0th Ward Mayor Oguro Kafka—  

Host: Oguro Kafka takes the role of the new 0th Ward Mayor, and under the fair Law of Tourism, will engage in HAMA’s tourism industry, and lead all Ward Mayors of each ward. Can each party involved take the pledge? 

Rihito: Ah, h-have to follow the script… Yes! I pledge to transfer all authority to the new 0th Mayor Ward.

Kafka: It is an utmost honor that I will gladly accept.

Host: 8th Ward Mayor of Tokyo, Shigematsu Hakkei, in accordance with Law of Tourism, auditor of HAMA as supervisor of the special tourism ward, will give guidance and submit appropriate reviews of tourism to the state. Can the individual party involved take the pledge?

Hakkei: It is most likely that this function will be terminated by the end of this year. Be as that may, it is my assignment. As supervisor, I pledge to my role as a fair auditor.

Kafka: You’re retiring this year? So that means we’ll have a different supervisor next year~

Hakkei: Such impudence… 

Kaede: (T-the mood in the room is in the ditches…! Even though we can hear everything both of them are saying—don’t fight in front of the public…)

Host: N-now then, the insignia from the current Ward Mayor will be entrusted to the new 0th Ward Mayor!

HAMA ward resident B: Thought he was a kid too big for his britches, but… he’s a kid with more guts than we thought, right?

HAMA ward resident A: He might do things more properly than Rihito-san did…

HAMA ward resident B: That reminds me, their mother who passed away was a genius scientist… His appearance resembles hers quite well.

Kafka: Eeeh, I’m Oguro Kafka who has taken up the position of 0th Mayor Ward. To everyone in attendance, I will be discussing matters concerning the management of HAMA going forward. First of all…

Kafka: HAMA will fully cease accepting special financial support from the prefecture of Tokyo!

Kaede: (….Eeeeh!? What’s your aim here, Kafka—-!)

next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A06 Off to a rocky introduction

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note: 

Renga mistakens 罷免 (himen, to dismiss someone from a position) for 日麺 (himen), a word combining day (hi) and noodles (men). Which is why he thinks it's some new type of noodle. Joke has been reworked to make it make sense in English.

Kaede: (Who would’ve thought it would be happening on my third day of working here. A face-to-face meeting with the current Ward Mayors…!)

Yachiyo: Uuuwuhg… I’m nervous. Me supporting the Morning Squad… Guh-gonna puke…

Kaede: T-take it easy, Yachiyo-kun. Kafka said he’s also part of the Morning Squad. Remember?

Yachiyo: Y-you’re right. Ugweghh~ I need to look back at my notes in times like these!

Yachiyo: For the meeting with the current Ward Mayors, wait in front of the office… Okay! When I see them, greet them and… Eh, what do I say!?

Yachiyo: Gugugugreet them……..!? Our greetings need to be able to correspond to any time of the day so a goodmornafternight will do, yes!?

Kaede: It’s morning right now, so I think a normal good morning is fine enough…

Kaede: (Agh… Now I’m nervous too… Though I did meet all of the Mayor Wards once before.)

Yachiyo: Mutter mutter… Profile memos of the current Ward Mayors…

Yachiyo: The 2nd Ward Mayor is Kamina Yukikaze, an active figure skater… Gweh! Isn’t he a celebrity!?

Kaede: It’s common that mayors of a special tourism ward are famous people to begin with, since their role also includes advertising. 

Yachiyo: The 3rd Ward Mayor is Nishizono Renga… Hweh! He’s that high and mighty model talent, right!? W-w-w-w-what do I do, are lowbrow commoners even allowed near him…!?

Kaede: ……

Yachiyo: The 4th Ward Mayor is Lu Liguang… the Number Two from the Lùróng Family overlooking Chinatown… Isn’t he s-s-s-s-s-someone you don’t wanna cross paths with…!?

Kaede: Who’s to say—we have to meet him regardless…

Yachiyo: Leaving the others aside, Kamina Yukikaze is a top athlete, a living national human treasure! Aaaaah what do I doooo, Chief, how can you be so calm about it~!?

Kaede: Uhm, Yachiyo-kun, calm down…

Yachiyo: Ah!!! That’s…!!

Yukikaze: ……

Yachiyo: Athlete Kamina Yukikaze…!! The Scion of Ice…!! The handsome beauty of a gem that’s a living national treasure!! In t-t-t-the flesh……

Yukikaze: ……

Yachiyo: He- suh- he smiLED…!!!?

Yukikaze: I missed you…

(Yukikaze hugs Kaede)

Yachiyo: ~~お@dあk%!?!?!?

Kaede: (I'm the one who's being hugged here, yet Yachiyo-kun is jumping out of his skin…)

Kaede: Yukinii, sorry. Hold off. Since Yachiyo-kun’s freaking out…

Yukikaze: Huh? Oh, good morning. Are you an employee?

Yachiyo: Eh, wuh, wah, chee, kami…!?

Kaede: (Why and how are Chief and Kamina-? I think? Why can I interpret him…)

Kaede: The current 2nd Ward Mayor, Kamina Yukikaze, is my older cousin. Sorry, I should’ve told you earlier…

Yachiyo: D’oh, hooh, yuki, couh!?

Kaede: (D’oooh, the living national human treasure- Kamina Yukikaze- your cousin!? I guess…)

Yukikaze: I was hoping to see you as soon as possible after getting back from my overseas trip. It felt like an eternity until today.

Kaede: Sorry, Yukinii. All I’ve been doing is running all over the place since the company got established. How was the competition?

Yukikaze: …It felt lonely because you didn’t watch.

Kafka: Aaah- close, too close, touching is forbidden.

Kaede: Wah, geez Kafka, be careful with suddenly wedging yourself between us.

Kafka: Is there something wrong up there for you to hug someone the second you see them? Grabbing hands is also off the table. That’s a criminal amount of skinship.

Yukikaze: ...Long time no see, Kafka. Congratulations on the success of your surgery. If you're feeling left out, want a hug from me too?

Kafka: Hah? Are you trying to make me snap?

Kaede: (Here he goes again… Kafka’s always harsh with Yukinii.)

Kaede: (Just as I expected, though, from the moment I heard how the squad of current Ward Mayors would have Kafka in it. too…)

Kaede: Ah, another car has stopped… Looks pretty luxurious. Wonder if it’s the 3rd or 4th Ward Mayor?

Kaede: (And then one more car popped up immediately right after…!? S-such dangerous driving…!)

Renga: Yes! Passed him! How’s that Liguang! I, the greatest in the whole world, arrived first!

Liguang: Sigh… how stupid…

Renga: What was that!?

Kaede: (The nightmare from the airport all over again… These two are fighting every time I see them…)

Yachiyo: It's the a-actual Nishizono Renga… Lu Liguang is as beautiful as a model too… Howawa…

Kaede: 3rd Ward Mayor Nishizono Renga-kun and 4th Ward Mayor Lu Liguang-san, right. It’s our first time… well not the first meeting, but um, I’m the Chief of HAMA Tours.

Liguang: …Ah, you… We met at the airport.

Kaede: (That’s unexpected. Liguang-san remembered me!)

Renga: …! You’re…

Kaede: Ah… H-hello.

Kafka: Seems like all Ward Mayors have assembled. Guess it’s time to go inside the office.

Renga: …

Kaede: (Renga-kun’s, like… staring really hard…!? Wonder if I upset him somehow…)

Renga: Listen, you…

Kaede: Y-yes.

Renga: No it’s… uh…

Renga: The rose—it’s in a vase. That’s all.

Kaede: (...!)

Kaede: (I didn’t expect that either. He took the rose and brought it back home with him…)

Kafka: —And that covers everything for my “NEO18Wards” plan. Any questions?

Liguang: ……

Yukikaze: You’re amazing, Kafka. Your wisdom is seeping out from these documents. 

Kafka: Hah? What’s prompting you to state the obvious? Well, whatever. I guess that means you approve, at least. 

Renga: …I'm not convinced.

Kaede: …!

Renga: I recognize you as the 0th Ward Mayor. But, the 3rd ward will bring HAMA back to life in its own way!

Liguang: …Hah, big talk for someone who’s been dragging everything down.

Renga: Whaa-!? Who’s dragging what down!?

Kaede: (Uh, well, Renga-kun’s the person responsible for the weird changes to Landmark, right? I’m anxious, to be honest…)

Liguang: Ignoring the idiot in the room, I cannot endorse this. The plan itself is logical, but teaming up with this fool beside me is illogical. 

Yukikaze: I think it’s a good idea. Most importantly, being able to work together with Kaede makes me happy enough. 

Kafka: Okay, nobody asked for your feelings on the matter. Also, everyone will be work colleagues from now on, so make sure to address people properly by their title. 

Yukikaze: Yes, I got it. Chief, right.

Kafka: Sigh, anyway, I didn’t expect for all of you to be on board from the get go. But I want everyone to reaaaally think about their own standing thoroughly, okay.

Liguang: …

Renga: Standing!? What are you implying with that!

Kafka: As the 0th Ward Mayor, I have the right to sack the other Ward Mayors.

Renga: Sack, like a potato sack? We’re getting potatoes…?

Liguang: Sigh… Bèndàn…

Kaede: Renga-kun, getting sacked means you’ll get dismissed…

Renga: …Dismissed…

Renga: Ahem, I-I knew that!!

Renga: No, wait…!? Are you threatening me!?

Kafka: …Calm down for a second and think about it with a cool head. HAMA failed to meet the tourist quota for two years in a row. The way things have been going needs to get completely overhauled or it’s a bust, in other words.

Kafka: Renga, Liguang too, you should’ve been putting serious effort into the revival of your own wards these past two years. You understand what I’m getting at, yes? Basically—it’s time for a change.

Kafka: In any case, if we don’t overcome the tides this year, then the special ward zone will fall and everyone here will lose their status as Ward Mayor. Why not try doing things differently than before, even if it’s just once?

Liguang: …Is this what the plan is for?

Kafka: Morning Squad will go out on the field first—if the first tour isn’t received well at all, then you can take your leave. 

Kafka: All I want is one chance. I beg of you.

Kaede: (Kafka…! Going as far as bowing down…)

Renga: Ueh, nuh, uh…

Liguang: ………

Liguang: …Understood—I’ll obey until the results of the initial response are out.

Kaede: (...! Liguang-san… He’s way more upright than he looks…!)

Renga: … Me, too… I’ll go along if you insist…

Liguang: Why are you the one acting condescending?

Renga: Haah!? I’m being my normal self!?

Kaede: (...And they’re back to fighting in the end.)

Yachiyo: Hawawa… C-can these people here really help us out…!?

Kafka: Friendship is beautiful, isn’t it.

Kaede: (Eh. That’s your takeaway from seeing this play out in front of you?)

Kafka: Guess it was a good thing I was prepared for this, right?

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A01 My Sweet Home Town

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

Opening note:

I am playing with the male player character, canon name Kaede Hamasaki, and will be simply referred to as Kaede in the translation. It’s a choice made due to the characters referring to the player character in their own ways (switching between first & last name, using honorifics) and I don’t want to make it sound clunky by using “player” or “MC”, or alter when first or last name is used (due to the importance of it in the JPN language). However, the gender of the player character has 0 impact on the story, and the experience is the same regardless of male or female main character.

TL note: 

レトい (retoi) comes from retro. It’s made up slang from 18TRIP.

Fiú is a Hungarian word meaning "boy".

Announcer <(We request that you please fill in your arrival card as preparation for landing. –As there’s still some time until disembarkment, please enjoy the remainder of your pleasant flight.)

A trip’s memories are like one roll of a cassette tape.

The A-side is full of wonder, while the B-side… it may record all the unavoidable, painful things, but that isn’t to say only one side exists.

…The beauty of travel is not without its downsides.

Announcer <(We will shortly start our descent to Tokyo Metropolis Airport.)

Kaede: …Been a while since we could see each other, right, Kafka.

Man seated in the other chair: That’s a tape recorder, no… Isn’t that something from over half a century ago? 

Kaede: Ah, yes, it’s a cassette tape.

Kaede: From the latter half of the 20th century… They used them up until around the 90’s.

Man seated in the other chair: They’re back in fashion lately, aren’t they. Ret, if I’m not mistaken… That's a buzzword in itself, too. You’re a fan of these?

Kaede: Not so much other ret stuff… I just like cassettes. 

???  <(Hey… don’t you dare…me out of all people…!)

???  <(I’m… in the mood for… tedious… oh-so grand exit.)

??? <(Whaa-!? I should… saying that!)

Kaede: (What’s with the commotion… a fight?)

Man seated in the other chair: My, my… lively, isn’t it.

Man seated in the other chair: I have to say, somehow I was able to have a pleasant flight sitting next to you. My thanks, fieu. Have an ounce of gratitude.

Kaede: Oh, no need to… the same goes for me!

Kuguri: So, Returning to JPN?

Kaede: Yes, I’m going back to my hometown. To HAMA-18.

next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 (x) / A02 / A03 / A04 / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} The Homescreen Voice Lines Vault

Collection of all the voice lines I have translated on my Twitter account. Uploading it on here for archival purposes.

Note: A lot of them were made to fit the Twitter character limit, sometimes they're a bit freestyled.

Mostly Raito oriented, with some others thrown in the mix.

Chihiro: Raiting, you spend a lot of time watching vids, don'tcha~ What channels got you hooked?

Raito: Let me see, channels all about information over ramen and the occult stuff like Muu☆Tan's are vital to me.

Raito: Kuguri, you can do what you want but, have you considered to stop sleeping naked from time to time? No doubt you'll catch a cold.

Kuguri: I'd prefer for you to leave me be. A certain Someone who can't properly wake up in the morning has no right to police others on how they sleep.

Raito: According to this scripture of taboos that I procured on my own, it appears that Pandora's Box will open up again soon. The theory of hope remaining at the bottom is plausible but, let's just wait and see...

Akuta: Uugh... I can't... I can't go on like this anymore.... Raito-san, please do the usual thing again tonight!!

Raito: A hopeless guy, aren't you... Got it, I'll take care of you. I will... feed you the best late night ramen that there is.

Netaro: Raito~! Trouble's afoot! There's hearsay of a unfamiliar flickering luminant body appearing behind the dormitory~!

Raito: What!? An unidentified flying object, in other words!? We must unravel its true identity! Let's go right away, Netaro!

Kuguri: Sometimes Nanaki looks at me cutely and pleads for advice on composing music. Well, my involvement is limited to hearing him out and giving a nudge, however.

Kuguri: I don't disagree with your way of living, Ten... It smells sweet, exclusively so. How about we go on a drive together again sometime.

Ten: Aha, it's an honor to get invited by someone like Kuguri-san~ I don't mind the kinda relations where you stay outta each others affairs either.

Chihiro: Geez~! Taotao, you play Anigun way too much! Didn't you like promise you'd go shopping with Chii today! And here I sat looking forward to it~!

Tao: Sorry. To think there'd be an event out of nowhere... I'll buy you some pudding as apology. So let's go shopping. Okay?

Akuta: Like, during flower viewing... adults do /that/, right... Y'know... the thing... s- s- s- strip rock paper scissors....!

"yakyuuken" is a Japanese game on based rock paper scissors, where the loser ends up stripping.

Akuta: Ten-san, I heard you talking to a woman on the phone earlier, but is she for real... wrapped around your finger!? Like both hands all over a beaut and...!

Ten: Aha, the hell man. Don't slander me. She's just a plain ol' friend. Maybe you're still too young for this though~?

Akuta: That freakin' Kiroku, he put a kinda bracelet that girls would wear in his desk. Ah, wonder if he's like also doing the do with her...

Ushio: Oi Stupidtake, record what I make all you want but don't snatch food while i'm not looking. You itching to get banned or something?

Akuta: Geh... got caught, huh... I regret my actions! Please spare me from being exiled! Oh great god from heavens above Ushio-samaaa~!

Nanaki: Kugunii, come over whenever you feel like it again. I'm sure Dad, Mom and Big Bro all are eager to see you.

Kuguri: Perhaps so. ...I'll go if the mood strikes me.

Nanaki: Spring is the season of encounters, huh... I already have crossed paths with my G.O.A.T though.

GOAT: Gen Z slang, means "Greatest Of All Time".

Ushio: Listen Murakumo-san, I know you're fooling around, but can you please refrain from putting any weird ideas into the younger guys' heads?

Ten: Oh-hoh~ look at you sounding all cool there. Dunno what you mean with "weird ideas" though.

Ushio: ....I curse the freaking guy who dared to use my shampoo without permission to go bald from losing 10 hairs every second...!

Ryui: Toi, your hair's sticking out. Here, sit still. I'll fix it to make it pretty.

Toi: Wah... Thank you dearest Big Bro. My beloved Big Bro really is the coolest in the whole wide world... My heart's skipping a beat...

Toi: A mature seductiveness like Yodaka-san's... How can i end up having that too? I'm jealous, you see.

Yodaka: Fufu, but Toi. Don't you have your own kind of charm that I lack. I admit I'm also envious on that front.

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A08 The biggest bet of one’s life

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude. Note: this is the final chapter of the prologue.

Kafka: ……

Kaede: Kafka? Hey, what’s wro—-

(Loud popping noise)

Kaeda: Uwawgh!?

Kafka: Congrats Kaede-chan!

Kaede: Huh, what…!?

Kafka: My company has decided to hire you~!

Kaede: Hweh, eh?

Sakujiro: Congratulations. I believe this has taken you around 5 hours. As expected from Kaede-san.

Kaede: Sakujiro-san!? Eh, where did you… why…?

Kaede: Also, you said “my company”... as in Kafka’s company?

Kafka: Fufufu… Surprised, aren’t you. Here, look at this.

Kaede: What…? Documents?

Kafka: Yeah. Registration documents for the company I created.

Kaede: Registration… I can’t keep up with what’s happening, but… did you really—a company…?

Kaede: What’s this mission statement thingie right here?

Kafka: Management philosophy, or maybe… the guidelines for what ideas you want to realize, perhaps I should say.

Kaede: In other words, what you want to achieve by making the company?

Kafka: Exactly that!

Kafka: Do you remember the first time you went on a trip? What you were wishing for, with who, and where you went? 

Kafka: A heart-pounding experience, a chance encounter… There might've been some unforeseen trouble, too.

Kafka: However, none of these things can be experienced unless you take that first step forward to embark on a trip.

Kafka: Where should you go? What should you do? What should you take with you? Together with who—? 

Kafka: All the people that yearn to see the world, and those who haven’t had a taste of traveling yet, HAMA receives with open arms.

Kafka: Hoping one day your heart will grow warm when memories resurface, as if it’s reaching out to give you courage.

Kafka: A trip to the HAMA that’s kept close, and loved. To take your hand and lead you there—

Kafka: That is…

Kaede & Kafka: Hama Tours

Kaede: Kafka, this is…

Kafka: Say, Kaede-chan.

Kafka: Today, you felt it when going around HAMA, didn’t you? In the past, how it differs from the first trip that you gifted me… That the HAMA we know now—it's in a tough spot.

Kafka: I’m no longer that ill person waiting for Kaede-chan’s tales of traveling.

Kafka: I’ll wager all that’s left of my life, and bring HAMA back on its feet. And in order to achieve that, I need you. That’s why…

Kafka: So, Kaede-chan, bet your whole life on me too.

Kaede: Kafka…

Kaede: (The whole time, no matter where I was, I could always feel a tiny bit of regret. Wondering if this is really the kind of job I wanted to do. Even though travel work is what I yearned for, these feelings that I had—)

Kaede: (Were ones of wanting to make someone smile, from a trip to HAMA. That’s what was left of them. —A trip like the one I gave to Kafka that day.)

Kaede: –I’ll place a bet. 

Kaede: On Kafka, on the work to bring HAMA back, I’ll bet my whole life!

Kafka: …Really? You mean it?

Kaede: Without a doubt.

Kafka: And it… isn’t it because you pity me? Wanting to “help” someone as miserable as me…That’s not how you feel, right?”

Kaede: No! Not a chance I’d ever think that.

Kaede: I, honestly, have been frustrated the entire time. Seeing HAMA drained of color compared to how it was… How it’s helpless, lifeless. 

Kaede: But all I could do was absentmindedly stare. That’s why… you’re truly amazing.

Kaede: Thanks to you, I’ll be able to do something for the sake of HAMA, too. I’ve never been this happy before. 

Kafka: Right… yeah. Right!

Kafka: Seems like I won after going all out, one way or another. 

Kaede: Hm? What are you talking about?

Kafka: Nothing at all.

Sakujiro: ……

Kaede: Um, so then… what now? Actually, what should I do first?

Kafka: Oh? You’re sure fired up~ Kaede-chan. How admirable!

Kaede: Obviously I am! Because…

Kaede: (I feel like I finally found the kind of job I wanted to do. And, most importantly, it’s the same one as Kafka’s.)

Kaede: (Reading HAMA Tours’ mission statement makes it all clear. How it's the same as me… How the trip we took together that day made Kafka who he is today!)

Kaede: Either way! I’ll do anything! And when do we start… Ah, that’s right. I’ll work myself to the bone if it’s from next week on.

Kaede: That unemployment really came at the right time…

Kafka: Yeah, I knew.

Kaede: Eh…  Did I… talk about how the company went out of business?

Kafka: Fufu, makes you wonder. The planets really aligned for this one, didn’t they.

Sakujiro: Young Master, it’s getting time…

Sakujiro: Your body will get cold.

Kafka: …

Kafka: I love the rain. No matter who it is, the raindrops will fall the same onto everyone. Besides—

Kafka: The coldness that has never stopped raining onto me will, at last, clear up tomorrow.

Kaede: Tomorrow? Is there something tomorrow?

Kafka: Yeah. My surgery.

Kaede: Wha….? Surgery… Surgery!? But Kafka, on PeChat, you said it was over…

Kafka: That was a lie.

Kafka: YOU LIED!? But, Sakujiro-san was also…

Sakujiro: My deepest condolences. This very Sakujiro’s 879th special skill is Co-Conspirator in No Time.

Kaede: Unbelievable….

Kaede: Wait, not that part!

Kaede: Even though your surgery is tomorrow, you went out, and now you're sitting in the pouring rain like this…! 

Kaede: Put on this jacket! And then a towel, towel… Ah, I have a handkerchief. Here use this to dry yourself off immediately—

Kafka: Ahaha! You’re panicking all over the place, Kaede-chan.

Kaede: Of course I’m panicking! This is no laughing matter, you know!?

Kafka: It is something to laugh about, c’mon.

Kafka: I won a bet I placed with my whole life, so I’m invincible now. No matter what the success rate for my surgery is, there’s no way I’d lose…

Kafka: I absolutely won’t die.

Kaede: I do believe that but… Kafka, why are you that confident about it?

Kafka: Because of the courage you gave to me.

Kaede: I did…?

Kafka: I’m done with just gazing through the window at the world you live in.

Kafka: I won’t let you leave me behind anymore, and I won’t wait for you either.

Kafka: From now on we’ll be equals, standing side-by-side, walking forward while being on the same page.

Kafka: It’s likely that… not everything will be alright. Just like that one trip we took back then, we can end up getting lost, not be able to make it to the observation deck because we didn’t have the money, things like these might happen, too.

Kaede: Yeah, you’re right. But…

Kaede: When that happens, we’ll look for somewhere else.

Kaede: Even if we didn’t get to the observation deck that day, the view of the evening colors from this building was breathtakingly out of this world, wasn’t it?

Kafka: Yeah… it’s exactly as you say.

Kafka: That’s why, Kaede-chan—

Kafka: Let’s go on a trip, together!

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 / A04 / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08 (x)

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A06 An eccentric youth

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

Man selling flowers: And we’re here… Is this okay?

Kaede: It’s more than enough! You genuinely were a big help. Thank yo—

Kaede: Ah, right. Sorry, I still haven’t asked for your name.

Man selling flowers: Aaah, uh… Then, here.

Kaede: And this is?

Man selling flowers: My shop. Drop by once everything’s settled.

Man selling flowers: When you want flowers, or want to have your laundry done.

Kaede: Laundry? And, flowers…? What kind of business …?

Man selling flowers: ‘Kay, I’m off.

Kaede: T-thanks again!

Kaede: ….HAMA nice trip!

Man selling flowers: ….HAMA nice trip, too.

Kaede: (...What an interesting guy.)

Kaede: Okay… gotta search for Kafka!

Kaede: Hmmm… He isn’t here either, huh.

Kaede: (Where did you run off to, Kafka….)

Kaede: That day, where did we go next based on that sightseeing guide I made…

Headband boy: Hey hey, you over there!

Kaede: Eh… me?

Headband boy: Yeah! Y’see, I got this once in a lifetime favor here~....

Headband boy: Use this camera and film the whole shebang of what I’m ‘bout to do!

Kaede: Eh, eh… eeeh!?

Headband boy: Okay, I’m blastin’ off…

Headband boy: “NO, WAIT!!”

Kaede: Eh, what is he doing…!?

Headband boy: “These stairs still aren’t safe! You caaaaaaaan’t!!”

Security guard A: You over there! Stop where you are!

Headband boy: “Damn it…The Space Dimension Over Journeyer isn’t fully charged yet…!”

Security guard B: What are you mumbling about…Either way, remove yourself from the premise! Entry is forbidden to those who do not follow the dress code!

Headband boy: “I know! But this machine isn’t able to endure an incomplete Over Journey…!”

Headband boy: Get it all on camera! Properly!

Kaede: Eh… is he saying that to me…?

Headband boy: “Let me through! Why are you letting him go on his own!”

Security guard A: Dangit…! You sure can put up a fight…!

Security guard B: Enough of this tomfoolery!

Headband boy: Uh-oh…!?

Kaede: (Ah… looks like they let him go…?)

Headband boy: Phew… so a cut here, huh.

Headband boy: Hey! Didja catch that!? Did you!?

Kaede: Ah… sorry. I was taken so aback I didn’t do anything…

Headband boy: No freakin’ way! Then one more take… 

Kaede: Wait, wait! The guards will just stop you again if you do that!

Headband boy: Dummy, that’s what I need! In scene 87, I shake off the organization restraining me and go travel across the multiverse to save my buddy!

Kaede: I… I don’t know what kind of filming is going on here, but I think you better stop causing problems… All the guards are on high alert too. 

Headband boy: Booo! Even though I was sure you filmed that explosion of emotions earlier!

Kaede: …Huh?

Kaede: Hey, what’s that in your hand?

Headband boy: This? Just some papers I rolled up, but… no shoot is complete without it! It being a megaphone!

Kaede: Ah, no. That’s not what I meant… That paper on the outside. May I have a look at it?

Headband boy: Yea, sure! It’s just one I snagged up after it came down fluttering through the air from above earlier. 

(Guide page)

Landmark Tower is a symbol of HAMA! You can see all of HAMA from the observation deck Sky Garden.

When I went to do extra activities for school, I searched for the hospital where Kafka was staying. As you’d expect, I wasn’t able to tell where his room was located.

Kaede: I knew it… another page from the guide I made…

Headband boy: Huuuh.. extracurricular activities for school, eh. Hard to imagine that nowadays.

Kaede: Eh, why?

Headband boy: ‘Cuz y’know… that. Look over there.

Renga: “—On the second floor of the landmark plaza, you can partake in Burger Emperor’s speciality, diamond french fries for 34,000 yen!”

Renga: “Potatoes of the finest quality from Île de Noirmoutier, worth 40,000 yen for one kilogram, rinsed with water stemming from an aquifer roughly 450 meters deep beneath the Andes Mountains for exactly 38.8 seconds and then fried crisply by an out of this world cuisinier!”   

Kaede: (That’s the Ward Mayor Nishizono Renga I ran into at the airport yesterday…! Actually, like 30,000 yen for fries…!? Is this some ad for a five star hamburger joint!?)

Renga: “—This is the place to be for high class service at any given time. Urben and lugsurious, gorgeous facilities perfectly reserved for someone of your steetus, I bid you a warm welcome to Landmark.”

Headband boy: See? Ain’t no way a buncha elementary schoolers would waltz into such a hoity-toity place. 

Kaede: That can’t be…!

Kaede: (Is because of that Ward Mayor’s policies that the Landmark changed like this…!?)

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 / A04 / A05 / A06 (x) / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A05 The man who sells flowers

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

(Kafka’s voice)

07/01, 1st of July—  I snuck out of the hospital. 

The first trip in my life… 

As promised, Kaede-chan took me with him.

My heart was beating as fast as it could… Whether Kaede-chan felt this excitement through our intertwined hands—it was all I could think about at first.

I’m sure that I'll never, ever forget about the trip I took today. 

The sights I saw, the food I ate, the people I met… the smells, sounds and colors— the warmth of holding Kaede-chan’s hand.

This is what a trip is—an unforgettable experience that etches itself within your heart.

That’s why I thought of something. One day, I… as the 0th Ward Mayor of HAMA… I want to be the one giving hospitality to all the tourists that come here—

Kaede: I knew it…it’s a voice memo from when I secretly took him with me out of the hospital, and we went sightseeing around HAMA together.

Kaede: (Kafka, you really… held that trip close to your heart.)

Sakujiro: One day as a Tourism Ward Mayor, he says. As you would expect from the son meant to inherit the 0th ward  governing over HAMA-18…. harboring such noble ambitions since his boyhood.   

Sakujiro: Anyhow, currently we must locate the Young Master posthaste. For the sake of conducting the search as efficiently as possible, I suggest we operate individually.

Kaede: Yeah, I agree. Then I’ll be—

Kaede: (I don’t believe Kafka left that cassette lying around without any thought.)

Kaede: (I thought to trace back my steps following the route planner I made for Kafka that day, but…)

Kaede: I made that plan while super excited, so the scope of it was huge. I want to find him as soon as possible, though… 

(Kaede bumps into something)

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Huhn~? Didya just like, bump into my shoulder?

Kaede: Ah, sorry.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Haaah!? Ya bumped into him and that’s it!? You hit his shoulder, yanno!? Are all fellas from HAMA just a buncha rude asses or what!

Kaede: No, uh…

Kaede: (I messed up… Because of this area becoming desolate, a bunch of weirdo delinquents started gathering around here, or something along those lines.)

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Y’know, we really went outta our way and took two whole ass hours to come here! All the way down to HAMA! 

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: To beat the ever living shit out of other dudes!

Both delinquents A & B: Gyahahaha!

Kaede: Picking fights… why would you…?

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Get with the times, old man. Nowadays every goddamn place is on full lockdown by security robots, ain’t no room for the baddies to stand out.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Going off that, HAMA’s management is in freaking shambles, which is why big cat right here can claim the whole sidewalk for himself with his big ass shoulders.

Kaede: (They’re saying some awful things…)

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Which leads us back to this, so c’mon, hand it over. The thing you pull out when you've pulverized someone else’s shoulder.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Reparations, to be clear.

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Hand it over, scoundrel.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Reminder that cops don’t bother with civil affairs, scalawag.

Kaede: Um… I’m a little bit tight on cash…

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Don’tcha get all stingy on me! Look, look, electronic payments are where it’s at. Which one’s your main?

Kaede: No, I’m not…!

Man selling flowers: Excuse me~ ….Don’t you want to buy a flower?

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Haaah?

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Where’s this fella suddenly popping up from.

Man selling flowers: Money is accepted through most electronic payment services.

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Wha… what’cha yapping about there!

Man selling flowers: Do you have a favorite flower? Even if only by color… Ah, actually I can provide assistance by reverse searching flower language based on your favorite word and pick one out like that too.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Flower language? I ain’t bilingual!

Man selling flowers: Let’s see… my recommendation for you two would be…

Man selling flowers: This, here—would you like an amaryllis.

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Hell no, don’t want it!

Man selling flowers: Is that so… then…

Man selling flowers: Muscari?

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Just straight up no! It ain’t like we want any other kinda flower! We don’t want flowers in general!

Man selling flowers: My last resort then. Coming down to my precious savings…

Kaede: (H-he pulled out a horsetail out of his pocket…!?)

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: Haaah? What’s with that grass thingie…

Man selling flowers: I was keeping this to use it for dinner later. The price tag is at 0, so no need to thank me either.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: I lost the plot… 

Delinquent of amazingly short height A: L-let’s bounce.

Delinquent with dangerously low pants B: Right, let’s get outta here.

Man selling flowers: HAMA nice trip.

Kaede: (A-amazing. He chased off delinquents with a horsetail. More importantly…)

Kaede: Um, that right now…

Man selling flowers: Hm? What?

Kaede: HAMA nice trip… is what you said, right?

Man selling flowers: Yea. I did. It’s a greeting for when tourists come to HAMA. I came up with it. 

Man selling flowers: But, it never ended up sticking. Use it too if you’d like. 

Kaede: Y-yes. It’s a nice saying… 

Kaede: Ah, that’s right! Thank you so much for saving me!

Man selling flowers: It’s not like I did that much. If anything, it seems like it’s going to rain later.

Kaede: Rain? What do you–

Kaede: …Huh? Is that…

Kaede: I knew it… A page from the sightseeing guide I made for Kafka in the past. It’s a copy but… what’s it doing here?

(Guide page)

Let’s improve the economy with inbound tourism (※foreigners traveling to Japan)!

With this, it has been decided that Yokohama’s “Chinatown” will be the most important tourist attraction, based on the concept the country came up with. 

They hit the jackpot with this idea, so Chinatown’s attracting huge crowds! Our recommendation is to enjoy some high quality siu mai! 

Kaede: (---Aah, that’s right. Back then, HAMA was in its heyday, full of life and people wherever you went…) 

Person from Chinatown A: Oh my oh my, such little customers! Did you come here together?

Person from Chinatown B: Oi, you lil’ rascals over there! Have a bite of this! Don’t need no money, it’s just a sample!

Person from Chinatown C: Are you perhaps lost? Where would you like to go… Aah, in that case, it’s opposite direction of the station. Right over there, follow me!

Kaede: (All kinds of people treated us with such kindness… And that wasn’t just because we were two little kids out and about.)

Kaede: (At least, back then, it wasn’t as deteriorated as it is now…)

Kaede: ….All of it has changed.

Man selling flowers: Uuum, you okay?

Kaede: Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought there…

Man selling flowers: Anywhere you wanna go? I got a bike, so I can bring you if it isn’t far.

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 / A04 / A05 (x) / A06 / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A02 Proof of determination

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note:

金転がし (kanekorogashi) is an alternate name for まわり将棋 (mawarishogi), a traditional Japanese children’s game using the four Gold General shogi pieces and the pawns move into an anti-clockwise direction. The rules and gameplay elude me, but this website described it as Snakes and Ladders, which I am more familiar with, thus I went with that.

Kafka: HAMA will fully cease accepting special financial support from the prefecture of Tokyo!

Hakkei: …Wha- what is the meaning of this, Kafka! No- 0th Ward Mayor!

Kafka: Ah, you recognized me as the 0th Ward Mayor. Thank you very much ♪ It’s a given, though. 

Hakkei: Leave the trifling matters aside. Refusing funding from the capital? What are you planning to do with HAMA’s dwindling budget!

HAMA ward resident A: S-seriously, what is the plan here…

HAMA ward resident D: A stop to financial support… A declaration of a full stop to HAMA… 

Kaede: (...Kafka, just what in the world are you thinking?)

Kafka: Please be at ease. Now that I’ve been inaugurated as the 0th Ward Mayor, I’m intending to fully restore all of HAMA. Hence, the current method of doing things is no longer applicable.

Kafka: Rather than being restricted by insufficient funding and having our hands tied, I must go as far to propose a temporary termination in order to be able to enforce more drastic measures. 

Hakkei: And instead of that trifling amount of funding, from where do you intend to procure your capital?

Hakkei: This isn't child’s play- do you even comprehend that these politics are intertwined with the foundation of a whole city? 

Kafka: Towards these ends, I’ve invested every single penny to my own name into establishing a travel agency that will have direct control over the 18 wards of HAMA.

Kafka: Its name is HAMA Tours!

Kafka: It will be in charge of directing all general tourism affairs of HAMA,  and arranging package tours which haven’t been done before now. Proceeds will in turn serve as financial support for tourism.

Hakkei: Hmph! A mere pipe dream fabricated by some anklebiter. Tourism is not to be underestimated! Is your purpose to smash all of HAMA with that company of yours to pieces, Kafka!?

Hakkei: If you’re using your legal obligation as the 0th Ward Mayor to play house, then I will not allow this in a million years!

Kafka: …Who’s the one playing house here?

Hakkei: …

Kafka: Let me make it clear how I’m putting my life on the line.

HAMA ward resident A: The president of the biggest bank in all of HAMA!? And… they’re shaking hands!?

Kaede: (Kafka… Just when did you meet up with the president of the bank!?)

Hakkei: This is…

Kafka: A few days ago, fundraising for HAMA Tours found itself in a rough spot, so we were able to come to an agreement about receiving a loan♪  

Kafka: Incidentally, as a safety net, we have all that is in my possession, and everything under the name of the Oguro Family. Not only our estate and plot of lands we own, but the colossal amount of intellectual property left by mother is included too. In other words—

Kafka: When HAMA sinks to the depths of the ocean, I too sink. I am mentally prepared to lose anything and everything. Still feeling inclined to describe this as playing house?

Hakkei: ……

Kafka: Of course, sinking to rock bottom is not in my agenda. Therefore, the days of receiving financing will not come back. To all ward residents of HAMA…

Kafka: Together with me, we’re facing a big gamble to bring our HAMA back to life. So you’ll place your bets, right?

HAMA ward resident B: I changed my mind! If he’s willing to go that far, then I'm onboard!

HAMA ward resident C: “HAMA Tours”, eh?- Good luck! Come partner up with our joint!

HAMA ward resident D:  The new Ward Mayor’s top of the grade determination… Gleefully accepting resolution…  One chance of HAMA’s regeneration…

Kaede: (The whole venue’s mood flipped completely…! Kafka… you went as far as putting everything you own into this. You really are out of this world…!)

Kaede: (I also have to contribute with all I can! We’ll absolutely make HAMA Tours a success!)

Hakkei: …Hmph, you've gotten the extent of your determination across. If you’re willing to declare that much, then you'd better show it with your actions. On the other hand!

Hakkei: I won’t cut any corners. Reviews will not get higher ratings out of compassion. I have not a single clue about how many times you’ve succeeded with your investments, but I’ll have you know tourism differs from a game of snakes and ladders. At most, you’ll flail hopelessly. 

Kafka: …Please continue to enjoy the view as a spectator. We will show you achievements beyond your expectations. …Uncle Hakkei.

Hakkei: Hmph!

Kafka: Good work out there, Kaede-chan. How was the inauguration? I gave it all I got, right?

Kaede: Kafka… I was anxious, to be honest. And I was relieved everything turned out well. When I heard that you’re cutting off funding, everyone around me was shaken to their core, you know. 

Kafka: Eeeeh~ That’s noooooot much praise. Especially when I did my oh-so best out there too~

Kaede: I thought you were amazing! I really did! It was just such a risky bet…

Kafka: Well, can’t deny that. But there were a lot of people passionate about the tourism industry from the ward residents that gathered, and I wanted them to properly accept HAMA’s situation and make it a personal problem. 

Kafka: Hospitality isn’t viable if only those at the top put in the effort. I wanted each and every single ward resident to consider contributing to HAMA. But, ultimately, I wanted to show there’s hope. You get me?

Voice of newscaster: “Furthermore, as declared by the new 0th Ward Mayor Oguro Kafka, the establishment of the travel agency HAMA Tours was made public.”

Kafka: Ah, look at that display over there! Our company logo is being shown on it!

Kaede: That’s… our new company’s…

Kaede: …. It is cute, but why a dog?

Kafka: Because I’m a dog person ♪ Which you already knew, yeah? Ah, I also have plans for a company song to be made.

Kaede: You are not going to put dogs in the song too, right?

Kafka: It’s a surprise for when you listen ♪

Kaede: (....Kafka, you look like you’re having fun. The inauguration today gave me chills all over, but if he can smile like that, then I have a feeling it'll be okay.)

Kaede: (Maybe the reality of all this is starting to sink in for me too. I’m going to be working for the sake of HAMA going forward…!)

(Kafka smiling)

Kafka: …

Kafka: Okay, I’ll send you the location of our company office building and schedule on PeChat. Work begins immediately starting next week! And, as for Kaede-chan himself~

Kafka: Given you're the first commemorable employee, the role of chief goes to you! 

Kaede: Chief!? Are you suddenly shoving me into an executive position!? 

Kafka: I'm the company president, after all. I’m looking forward to working with you, right, Chief-chan ♪

Kaede: Eeeh~.... Geez, still pushy as always..… 

Kaede: (But, I’m not complaining. There’s an incredible feeling in my chest. I want to try it. I feel like this is what I’ve been truly wanting to do…) 

Kaede: (If I take this one step forward, the radiant sun will be ahead of me.)

Kafka: As if it’s a morning where the sun rises from the depths of the dark sea. There is hope for the future. 

Kafka: Don’t you believe we can convey that through our work? At least… that’s what I want to believe.  

Kaede: …Yes!

Kaede: (I’m sure that a lot of new encounters await me from now on. And… I want to believe that they’ll bloom into something beautiful!)

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A03 Hospitality Beginnings SIDE:B

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note:

Yamanote Line is a railway line from JR East in Tokyo. Connecting various stations and city centers with each other. Considered to be one of the busiest lines.

Kaede: Phew… somehow got it solved.

Liguang: Making me of all people clean up your mess… How unpleasant.

Renga: It’s not like I asked or anything!

Kaede: (One way or another, Liguang-san lent us a hand after I asked him to… even if it’s just by coincidence, it was a huge help to have both Ward Mayors here.)

Kaede: Um, thank you very much for your help!

Liguang: Hmph… a waste of my time.

Renga: And my wasted time is more valuable than yours!

Renga: Crap, wait Liguang! Don’t you walk in front of m—

Kaede: Please wait!

Renga: Geez! Still bothering me or what!?

Kaede: I keep trying to say, that suitcase is…!

Renga: What’s wrong with my suitcase… Ah? Why do you have the same…?

Kaede: I believe that one is actually mine.

Renga: Ah…! You’re right, my precious Woof Woof Paradise charm isn’t on it…! 

Renga: D-damn you! Spit it out sooner if that was the case! Don’t you dare think commoners are worthy of owning the same stuff as me!

Kaede: (Again with the commoner thing…)

Kaede: Haaah… and he’s gone. Well, I got my luggage back so it’s fine.

Kaede: (Apart from what’s inside, this suitcase is a purchase in itself, so no way I’d want to lose it.)

Announcer <(It’s almost time for the last bus towards HAMA to depart. Please make your way to the bus terminal, platform number 11 as soon as possible.)

Kaede: Oh no… gotta hurry!

Kaede: Haaah~ ….Made it just in time.

Announcer <(The bus will be departing. Please fasten your seatbelt attached next to your seat.)

Kaede: (That being said…)

Kaede: (The bus is pretty empty. I guess it’s because it’s the last one, but… In the past it used to be chock full of people.)

???: Oh? If it ain’t Hamasaki.

Kaede: Eh… Daniel-san!?

Daniel: Yo, hope all went well for you.

Kaede: Same goes to you. Looks like we caught the same bus, huh.

Daniel: ‘Cuz there’s only one to HAMA every four hours. Been waiting for such a long time, got me more tired than that flight.

Kaede: Yeah… missing it does end up being quite the hassle. And yet the Tokyo one is on par with the Yamanote Line…

Daniel: Well, ain’t like much can be done about it. HAMA’s recession becomes clear as day once you catch a glimpse of our current situation.

Daniel: Want one too? A can of beer. Let’s have a toast to being jobless comrades in arms.

Kaede: Already claiming to be jobless… that’s for next week, technically speaking.

Kaede: (—Daniel-san and I are tour conductors working at the same travel agency… or rather, were—it’s a shame, but the business declared bankruptcy.)

Daniel: Just as a last celebration for wrapping up the work day, y’know.

Kaede: (That’s right… Today Daniel-san and I wrapped up the last of our work for tour guiding and headed right back home.)

Kaede: Daniel-san… What are you planning to do next, now that the company isn’t around anymore?

Daniel: Stuff just got done and over with and you’re already bringing that up…

Kaede: I already said it’s not over just yet.

Daniel: Hahaha! Naw, I’ll be taking it nice and easy here.

Daniel: Does that mean you already got something in mind, Hamasaki?

Kaede: I…

Kaede: (Being a tour conductor was a pretty fun job. Of course I love traveling too, besides….)

Kaede: (Earlier, it felt a bit different compared to the hospitality usually given to tourists at work… I was also happy to think I might’ve done something to help HAMA.)

Kaede: (....I want to continue doing travel work no matter what. But, even when I was working overseas, I could always feel a tiny bit of regret somewhere within my heart.)

Kaede: (....What kind of travel work I genuinely want to do—it's something I can’t help but wonder about.)

Daniel: Oi, what’s wrong? You’re looking lost in thought there.

Kaede: Oh, no... just thinking nice and easy.

Daniel: Haha! Nice nice, taking it nice an easy is the way to go.

Kaede: Nah, compared to you I’m actually giving it some proper thought.

Daniel: Right, right. Well… the end of one trip is the start of another, as they say.

Kaede: True… that’s how it is. Would be nice if it turns out like that.

Daniel: Also~ If you keep working seriously until the bankruptcy goes in next week, I can take it easy all the way. 

Kaede: …I’ll have you know I’m on paid leave tomorrow.

Daniel: Eeeeh~? C’mon, let’s work together now~

Kaede: Please do your best out there.

Kaede: (Since tomorrow is when I’ll be going to see Kafka.)

Kaede: (And after that, I’ll look for a new job…. I’m sure there’ll be some new meetings along the way too. This time, I’m going to find the kind of travel work I want to do from the bottom of my heart. Just thinking about it like this has me excited.)

Kaede: (Can’t wait to see what kind of people I’ll run into on my next trip!)

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 (x) / A04 / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A04 Dependable(?) founding employees

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL Note:

As mentioned in Kafka’s interview: The dog is named Shumai which is Siu Mai, a chinese dumpling. 

Kaede: (The first day of work is finally here! The other new employees will be here too, right… I’m nervous.)

Kaede: (That reminds me… I ran into Renga-kun here last week—I wonder if he turned out to be okay. He wasn’t looking too good there.)

Kaede: (Not that I can do much just sitting around and worrying! Alright, time for work!)

Daniel: Nah, what’cha making all these faces for. Someone’s a busy fella as always.

Kaede: !? Eh, Da-Daniel-san!? What are you doing here!?

Daniel: Ah? ‘Cuz this is my workplace, duh.

Daniel: Lemme take it from the top again, I’m director of HAMA Tours, Iwabuchi Daniel Hiroshi. Nice to meet’cha~

Kaede: …! …! …!

Kaede: (Y-you have got to be kidding me… Does that mean he’s my boss again…!? This guy who doesn’t lift a finger…!? Kafka, why did you hire him of all people…)

Daniel: While it’s our new workplace, you better be working till ya drop~ Chief-san♪ ‘Kay, I’mma head off first.

Kaede: D-Daniel-san, you are one of the founding employees, remember!? So please actually put effort into working this time around, okay!?

Daniel: Wahaha, I’unno ‘bout that.

Sakujiro: A good morning to you two, Chief, Director.

Sakujiro: Chief, we received the flowers you ordered. Thank you kindly for your consideration.

Kaede: Sakujiro-san, good morning to you too! So the flowers arrived safely then.

Sakujiro: Indeed. Young Master… Pardon, the President is most delighted with these.

Kaede: (...Oh, I see now. Sakujiro-san’s also one of the founding employees. Working together with someone who has been looking out for me since I was a kid—it does feel a little bit strange…)

Sakujiro: I am no more than a mere newbie of an ordinary employee, so please do give me orders regarding anything, even miscellaneous affairs at work.

Kaede: Eh… that’s really a bit too…

Daniel: Gotcha, Sakujiro. I’ll let ya take charge of all the annoying things.  

Kaede: Daniel-san… Don’t you have any common sense…!?

Daniel: Gotta use whatever’s at your disposal~

Kafka: Good morning. Everyone’s in high spirits already. Chief-chan, thanks for the flowers ♪ Could it be that you got these arranged in my image?

Kaede: Ah, Kafka, goo-

Daniel: Top of the mornin’ to ya, Bossman. 'Nother day of you looking all spiffy there.

Kaede: (Daniel-san, your tune sure changes with Kafka…) 

Kafka: Good morning. The other two who will also be founding employees are already here. Allow me to introduce them.

???: Good morning, Chief-san and Director-san if I’m right. 

Kaede: (Wah… A calm, proper looking fine young man!)

Kafka: He’s Kitakata Nayuki. He’s an old friend I connected with back in the investor community. This time I brought him on board as the manager for accounting.

Nayuki: If there are any problems related to accounting, please don’t hesitate to ask me about anything. I will properly follow through with you.

Kaede: (Woah, a genuine guy who has it all together…! Thank god…)

Kaede: (Hm? I kinda… feel like I’ve seen him before… Where was it again, like a magazine interview or something…)

Kafka: By the way, Nayuki also has experience establishing JPN’s biggest metaverse service mahorova under the role of COO under his belt. He’s your go-to guy to rely on. 

Kaede: Ah…! You’re the boy genius who created mahorova at the tender age of 12…!?

Nayuki: That is something from 11 years ago. Currently I’m a mere section manager for accounting so please treat me as such without reservation.

Kaede: (Such an amazing track record, yet so friendly and humble… Kafka, you actually hired a respectable guy…!)

Kaede: (...Honestly, why come to our company with a background like that? is what I’m thinking, but… maybe it’s because he’s friends with Kafka?)

Kaede: (...That also reminds me, something’s telling me I heard “Kitakata” somewhere else… What was it again?)

Kafka: Well, Nayuki will be taking on another job besides accounting sometime soon. Leaving that aside for now…

Kafka: There’s one more person, a guy that I employed as an intern but…

(Sounds of glass breaking and rattling)

???: Wah, uwaaaaah, I fell over and the flower vase is………..Guh! Hweeehsorrysorrysorrysorrysorry—--!!!

Sakujiro: Oh good heavens. The flowers we received from Chief are a mess.

???: P-picking them right now!!! Ouch!!! There’s blood from touching the vase shards… bloooooood~!!  

Kafka: Sigh… Sakujiro, lend him a hand, and put the flowers back together.

Sakujiro: I shall wrap this up within three seconds. 

Sakujiro: SWISH, SHWIWIWIWIWISH!!

Kaede: (T-they’re the perfect picture of a clumsy boy and overpowered butler…!?)

???: Ah, awawawah, I blinked and there’s band-aids… G-God, was that you~!?

Kafka: Yachiyo. Come here. Those flowers are VERY! important to me so you better not be coming near them ever any time soon, okay?

Yachiyo: S-s-sorry… I won’t ever be in the same room as them ever again… 

Sakujiro: Fuefuki-kun, if I may. Once you open the door first look to your right, and then to your left. Then proceed to keep a one meter distance from anything that seems breakable on impact. 

Yachiyo: Ye-yeshhhh!!! I’ll write it down!! I’ll make a memo of exactly every single spoken word!!!

Daniel: Oooh, whatta hard worker, takin’ proper notes and all. Intern-kun fella.

Kaede: (It’s kind of like… another unique person joined the bunch…)

Kafka: This is Fuefuki Yachiyo. The details of his application form were unusual and funny so I hired him ♪ Do get along with him.

Kaede: (Hired because it was funny… Kafka, your bad habits are coming out again!)

Kafka: And~ last~ but~ not least~ Ta-daaah, our poster dog Shumai.

Shumai: Borf!

Kaede: Eh, where did Shumai pop up from!? Wait, why did you bring him here!?

Nayuki: What a cute little doggy. Are you acquainted with him, Chief?

Kaede: Uuh, more than knowing him, we found him injured in the courtyard of the hospital Kafka was staying at back in the day…

Kafka: Chief-chan and I rescued him and looked after him at the hospital. I took him in my care when I got discharged from the hospital. Since he came running after me, and all.

Kaede: Really? It’s been so long, I’m glad to see you again, Shumai.

Shumai: Pant pant, boworf!

Kafka: Ah~ so unfair. Only wrapping your arms around Shumai. You should embrace me like you used to in the past, Chief-chan.

Kaede: W-what are you saying, geez…

Nayuki: Fufu, the president and Chief sure are good friends.

Kaede: Eh, no no it’s because we’re childhood friends…! Sorry for messing around at work…!

Kafka: It's not like we're messing around for the hell of it, this is how good friends act ♪ Manager Nayuki, don't go making eyes at Chief-chan, okay.

Kaede: (No, but seriously, what are you going on about, Kafka…)

Yachiyo: Do not make eyes at Chief… I-I jotted that down!!

Kaede: Yachiyo-kun, you don’t gotta take notes of that!

Kafka: Now then, given how all founding members have come together… Suppose it’s time to hold our first strategy meeting.

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A02 Hospitality Beginnings SIDE:A

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note: 

 Bèndàn (笨蛋) is Chinese for donkey, fool, dullard, klutz, etc. Basically an insult meaning idiot.

TV Announcer <(The suspect, entrepreneur Raito Kitakata, has been arrested on charges of bodily harm. Kitakata is known to have established the metaverse service <mahorova>....)

Kaede: Phew… finally made it.

Kaede: (I love traveling, but nothing beats that feeling of relief coming back home.)

Kaede: (Well, not that I’m in a situation where I can kick back and relax. I’ll be jobless in one week after all…)

Kaede: Ah…

Man with long hair: Excuse me.

Kaede: Sorry. I was looking away…

Man with long hair: The blame lies on me too. Are you hurt somewhere?

Kaede: I’m all good. And you, sir…?

Man with long hair: Ah, I’m fine. My bad, once again.

Kaede: (That person, where do I feel like I’ve seen him before…)

Kaede: Uwogh…!

Man with red hair: Hold it there! Don’t you dare go ahead of me!

Man with long hair: ………

Man with red hair: Hey!! You can hear me, can’t you!? Don’t ignore me!!

Man with long hair: ……It’s too stupid to bother with. Don’t you get it without me spelling it out word for word? 

Man with red hair: What was that!?

Man with red hair: Ah, my luggage arrived. Outta my way!

Kaede: (I have to get mine too soon. Wonder how long it’ll take for it to show up. The bus will be leaving soon…)

Man with long hair: Oi…. don’t shove yourself right in front of me. You’re in the way.

Man with red hair: Shuddup you bozo! Your place is behind me! My luggage is the one that will come out ahead of yours.

Man with long hair: Bèndàn… Your unrealistic confidence is astonishing.

Man with red hair: Just sit and watch! What will absolutely come out first is none other than—

Man with long hair: My bag.

Man with red hair: Ah!?

Man with long hair: Hmph…. 

Man with red hair: Damn you… Wait, Li—

(A loud alarm noise can be heard.)

Man with long hair: ….Hm?

Security robot: Please do not move. Please do not move. 

Man with long hair: What?

Security robot: Please remove yourself from your luggage at once. An examination will be conducted. 

Man with long hair: ………..

Security robot: Examination underway.

(A loud alarm noise can be heard.)

Security robot: Detection of suspicious pills. Color is green. Enclosed within transparent packaging. One bag.

Man with long hair: That’s just….!

Security robot: Kindly requesting you accompany me for confirmation of the specifications. 

Man with long hair: These are… ugh….

Man with long hair: …Pellets for rabbits.

Kaede: (Rabbits….? Does he own one?)

Man with red hair: Haha! Take all the time in the world investigating him! In the end I’m the one who made it out first!

Man with long hair: Tch……

Kaede: (Come to think of it, these two were going at each other on the plane too. Although what they were arguing about was a bit…childish.)

Kaede: Ah, my suitcase showed up.

Kaede: One, two… hup.

Kaede: (Oh, right. Should put away the stuff I carried on board.)

Kaede: (Pin code, pin code…. Hm….?)

Kaede: …Huh?

Kaede: There’s a charm of a doggy attached to it! It’s not mine… whose luggage is this!?

Man with red hair: Sigh, finally made it back… Can’t say it’s easy going back home either.

Man with red hair: Oh, close call… almost forgot about this.

Man with red hair: Hehe….

Man with red hair: (Only true fans will be the ones recognizing me when I'm wearing these bad boys.)

Man with red hair: …Alright, clothes, hair… and elegance, all clear on that front.

Man with red hair: (No matter how you look at it, it’s a worthy appearance for a man of the Nishizono Family.)

Man with red hair: Now then, guess I’ll be–

Kaede <(Excuse meeeee!)

Man with red hair: Hweh….!?

Kaede: Sorry! Guy in the sunglasses over there…! Wait!

Man with red hair: Wha.. a fuh-, fan? Making a fuss over here would be… no, with elegance it’ll be OK. It’ll be okay, surely be okay…!  

Kaede: Sorry, that suitcase is–!

Man with red hair: Ahem… Sorry but right now I’m in private mode.

Kaede: Eh? Please wait a second. It’s just, that suitcase is…

Man with red hair: (Won’t give up, huh… dealing with such radical fans calls for this then.)

Man with red hair: (---Secret Technique: The Fully Refined Speedwalk Reserved For Use Reporters!)

Kaede: Wait! Wait please!

Man with red hair: Ah, hey….!

Man with red hair: Let go! You sure are tenacious, commoner!

Kaede: Co-commoner….!?

Man with red hair: Do you think that a turbo commoner like you can get away with carelessly feeling up a mega celeb like me!?

Kaede: That’s not it, what I’m trying to…

Kaede: (Huh? Isn’t this guy…)

Woman A: Eh, could that be Renga…?

Woman B: No way, what’s Renga doing here!?

Kaede: (I knew it… This person is that famous celebrity model, HAMA’s Ward Mayor Nishizono Renga. And his ward was… the 3rd one, right?)

Kaede: (Ah, that means…)

Kaede: (That other man must’ve also been a Ward Mayor. Wonder if that was Lu Liguang…)

Kaede: (They must be acquaintances given how they're both Ward Mayors. Doesn’t seem like they get along, though…) 

Woman A: Do we call out to him!? We're gonna do it, right!?

Woman: Actually, who’s like, that person with him?

Renga: Damnit, this got out of hand…

Renga: Hey! This is your fault! So do something about it!?

Kaede: Eh, even if you say that, my suitcase is… 

Renga: S-shuddup! I’m taking my leave!

<(Kyaah! I want Renga to scold me too!)

<(Sooo jealous~!)

<(Reeengaaaa~!)

Kaede: Wha!? Wait…!

<(What, what? What’s all this commotion?)

<(Did she say Renga? Like that model Nishizono Renga?)

Renga: Hey, stop! Can’t you guys see these sunglasses or what! It should be clear as day I’m in private mode!

<(Folks sure are gatherin’ ‘round… Is this where the line for paying them souvenirs starts?)

<(People as far as the eye can see…Tokyo’s made outta different stuff for sure.)

Kaede: (W-what do I do… It’s gotten really out of hand.)

Renga: I! KEEP! TELLING YOU! Scatter! Disperse immediately!

Woman A: Kyaah! Renga scolded me~!

Curious onlooker B: Woah~ That Nishizono Renga dude really got some bad vibes.

Old man: This line ain’t moving an inch. Cashiers these days, just what are they doin’.

Kaede: (This is bad, and it’ll get even worse if it keeps going like this.)

Young lady?:  Hah… What a disgrace. Wears the sash of a Ward Mayor yet he can’t even provide some decent hospitality…

Young lady?: Not a surprise HAMA is falling apart.

Young lady?: How boring, let’s go.

Kaede: (Even going as far as insulting HAMA…! No way I’ll let the rep of my home fall before my eyes…!)

Renga: AAAAH, DAMNIT! WHAT DO I DO!!

Kaede: Wait a second please!

Renga: You, what do you…!

Kaede: I’ll help!

Renga: Hah!? You, help….

Liguang: …What’s the meaning of all this.

Kaede: Ah, great timing! Would you mind helping us out too!

Liguang: Haaah? What in the world do you want me to…

Kaede: Obviously… hospitality!

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 (x) / A03 / A04 / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A: Sun will R1ze!> 001-A05 First Strategy Meeting

A translation of 18TRIP's CHAPTER 001 SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

Kafka: Mhm, all the founding employees being assembled really makes you feel like the reality of it all has kicked in.

Kafka: However, what we’re doing here isn’t some get together for friends. Bringing proper results is our goal. For the time being I want to explain the restoration plan I came up with though, is that okay?

Yachiyo: …Um, uhm…

Yachiyo: That special tourism ward thingie mentioned in the documents… What uh, is …it?

Kafka: ………

Sakujiro: I cannot believe we have to start from there.

Yachiyo: Sosososososorry!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaede: (Living in JPN in this day and age, and not knowing about special tourism wards… Maybe Yachiyo-kun is some sheltered boy?)

Kafka: Sakujiro, you know what to do.

Sakujiro: Of course, President. Fuefuki-kun, please look this way. It’s an educational video aimed at children titled “Tourism For Beginners”. 

Kaede: (That video…! It’s the one I saw while I was in preschool…!)

Mister Rabbit: “Hello all good boys and girls! Today Mister Rabbit and-”

Little Miss Lion: “Little Miss Lion~!”

Mister Rabbit & Little Miss Lion: “-Will be learning all about the tourism industry~!”

Little Miss Lion: “Hey hey Mister, why do people call JPN the nashion of toorism?”

Mister Rabbit: “Good question, Little Lion! You see, JPN isn’t the only “nation of tourism” out there, since many countries all over the world are the same as JPN!”

Mister Rabbit: “People from the past worked very hard and made many machines. Thanks to the power of science, everyone’s got lots and lots of free time! Which is why traveling became a very popular way of playing!”

Little Miss Lion: “People from all over the woreld are trafeling!?”

Mister Rabbit: “Yes they are! A lot of effort was put into creating a “Ministry of Tourism” so everyone can have lots of fun, even in JPN!

Mister Rabbit: “In particular, the places where lots of tourists go to play are called “special tourism wards”, and support is provided in all sorts of ways throughout the whole country so everyone can have fun!”

Little Miss Lion: “Waaah~! Does that mean taxes becoming cheaper too~!?”

Mister Rabbit: “Yes, you bet! Among other things, in a “special tourism ward”, there’s the official position of “0th Ward Mayor”, someone with a loooot of powerful authority!

Little Miss Lion: Little Lion love love loves authoreety~! What can I do if I become the 0th Ward Mayor? Can I destroy the entire neighborhood~?”

Mister Rabbit: “Ahaha! Little Miss Lion makes some funny jokes! But, maybe you can? wink”

Mister Rabbit: “The 0th Ward Mayor can advertise tourism, choose who gets to be a Ward Mayor and decide on what the local tourism should be about!”

Mister Rabbit: “Whether it's killing or reviving the neighborhood, that all depends on the 0th Ward Mayor and the other mayors!”

Little Miss Lion: “Waaauw, when I grow up Little Miss Lion will definitely become the 0th ward mayor and obtain all the authoreety in the world~!”

Kaede: (... Did this video always have such a dark twist to it…?)

Yachiyo: Tremble tremble tremble… The 0th Ward Mayor is an authoritarian figure……………!

Daniel: Hweh~ I see now, uh-huh~ That’s what special tourism wards and 0th Ward Mayors were all about, huh.

Kaede: (Hold on, what do you mean Daniel-san didn’t know about this!? The previous company he worked at WAS a travel agency…!)

Kafka: So, the mentioned 0th Ward Mayor is what I am, basically…

Yachiyo: Hieh, you’re gonna destroy the neighborhood…!?

Kafka: Well, whether the ward sinks or swims all depends on the Ward Mayor themself. In fact, my own father is the one who almost killed HAMA, so…

Kaede: (Kafka, your smile is creepy…)

Kafka: It wasn’t mentioned in the video, but special tourism wards also have their disadvantages.

Kafka: Instead of receiving support from the country, they’re put under surveillance by the 23 wards of Tokyo connected to the government. Our own supervisory authority is in the hands of Tokyo’s 8th Ward Mayor.

Kaede: Shigematsu Hakkei-san who was at the inauguration… right?

Kafka: Yes. Ward Mayors like him frequently come sightseeing without prior notice. So if the hospitality level is low, a negative review will be drafted up immediately—think of them like some kind of menace of a sister-in-law. 

Nayuki: However, you cut all financial support from the capital, right? Then in that case, the 8th Ward of Tokyo must not have the right to interfere with tourism policies anymore. 

Kafka: Exactly that♪ I’ll be taking bold, drastic measures with our tourism policies this year.

Kafka: If we don’t reach the quota of required tourists in a year, HAMA will lose its status as a special tourism ward and my role will disappear too. 

Kaede: We just gotta get over that hurdle of drawing in tourists, right…

Kafka: So that’s all to say, in order to revive HAMA I put a plan together under the name of “NEO18Wards”.

Nayuki: According to the documents… the benchmark is the 9 wards of KOBE? 

Yachiyo: Marking benches?

Sakujiro: A blueprint, an example, the goal we’re aiming for. That’s the meaning of it, Fuefuki-kun.

Yachiyo: Muh! Memo, memo…!

Kaede: Why KOBE-9 though, if you don’t mind telling us?

Kafka: The reason is simple. KOBE and HAMA are both port cities, making them rivals that've been getting compared for as long as they've existed. Though, KOBE is crushing the competition at the moment.

Nayuki: If I remember correctly, KOBE did a large-scale reformation on their approach to tourism a few years back, and established a plan for the Ward Mayors to be directly involved with hospitality.

Kafka: Exactly. To begin with, what people are trying to find by traveling is a fresh, personal human connection that they cannot experience on a daily basis due to the mechanization and automation of the modern age. 

Kafka: Such an element cannot be easily replicated by technology.

Kaede: (That’s true…)

Kafka: HAMA’s failure is attributed to the surplus of tourism policies attracting way too many tourists for its own good, and in turn this lowered the quality of hospitality to each individual as a whole.

Kafka: To get us out of this situation, it’s necessary to give tourists the experience of courteous hospitality just like in KOBE. 

Nayuki: A simple but a very reliable method, if I had to say. Nonetheless, what do we do about the policies to increase tourism?

Kafka: That’s the Nayuki I know, always quick on the uptake♪

Kafka: First, we’ll narrow it down to domestic affairs… When thinking about the population of JPN, there are only so many people that travel on a regular basis, after all.

Kafka: It’s a situation where every city wants a piece of the pie. Keeping that in mind, the only way to increase tourism is by increasing the amount of repeat tourists. 

Kafka: Not just touring all the famous spots as people have been until now, but transforming all of HAMA into a tourist attraction and establishing a fanbase is what’s essential here. Which is why… I intend to increase the number of Ward Mayors for exactly this reason. 

Kaede: More Ward Mayors…?

Kafka: Currently, there are three Ward Mayors left in HAMA. The plan is to appoint a Ward Mayor to all 18 wards in due time.

Nayuki: It’s the 0th Ward Mayor’s job to lead the other mayors, right. Wouldn’t management be a heavy burden with such a large number of people?

Kafka: It’s me, remember? Think I can’t pull it off?

Nayuki: … You have a point.

Kafka: Though, first we start bolstering what we have with the current Ward Mayors. Sakujiro, you know what to do.

Sakujiro: Yes, President. Click click, as you asked.

Kaede: …Splitting up the 18 wards into four areas? By morning, noon, evening and night…?

Kafka: That’s right. By the way, the intention behind the name is along the lines of “Enjoy your trip to HAMA from morning till night”♪

Kafka: Which leads us to the following. Yachiyo, Sakujiro, Nayuki and Daniel. All of you will be providing full-time support to each squad respectively. As for the role itself—I’ll simply call you “conductors”.

Yachiyo: Eh, eeeh…!? Such, such an important task, me!?

Kaede: (For Yachiyo-kun this is definitely too much… W-wonder if this is okay.)

Kafka: No worries. Yachiyo is in charge of Morning Squad, which includes me. Chief-chan, you’ll be keeping an eye on all squads, okay?

Kaede: G-got it.

Kaede: (I feel the pressure, but… I said I’ll face anything that comes at me. Gonna give it my all…!)

Nayuki: Dividing into groups and establishing squads, I can understand. However, what is the meaning behind going through the trouble of dividing?

Kafka: The fact that we’ll get the Ward Mayors of each squad to coordinate and create a superior touring plan. There's a limit on how much our tourism resources can be fortified when our time is restricted to one year. 

Kaede: (That’s true… Right now we’re unable to sit down and create new facilities, and increasing what sights to see isn’t an easy task.) 

Kafka: But, we do have something we can use immediately. What do you think that is?

Yachiyo: Eh……, eh………

Kaede: Can use immediately…?

Daniel: Our amazing Bossman’s money? Gahah, just joshing!

Nayuki: …I see, that’s what it is.

Kafka: It’s none other than human resources. 

Kaede: (Ah…!)

Kafka: I’ve said it before, right? What people look for on travels is something that cannot be replicated by technology. 

Kafka: Extremely hard to quantify that the numbers may as well be random. An existence whose pattern is indecipherable to the whole word. That’s what “humans” are.

Kafka: I’m wagering on the “human” potential of Ward Mayors. A meeting between people—there’s no personal experience more intense than that. 

Nayuki: If this is the President’s plan of action, I will provide my support.

Nayuki: Though, will the current Ward Mayors give their endorsements? All wards had been operating independently up until now. 

Kafka: I’m the 0th Ward Mayor, remember?

Kafka: Just sit back and watch how I’ll make them say yes.

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

chapter 001 side A directory: TBA upon completion

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} <PROLOGUE SIDE-A: Still blank> 000-A04 First Trip

A translation of 18TRIP's PROLOGUE SIDE-A by 82mitsu. ENG proofreading by sasaranurude.

TL note:

I believe the little jingle Sakujiro does is a reference to Doraemon, when he pulls out a gadget out of his pocket to help out Nobita-kun.

Kaede: You’ll catch a cold if you stay here.

Boy in hospital gown: ……

Kaede: Say, Kafka… how about we go back inside?

Kafka: …No.

Kaede: But… it won’t be good if you get sick!

Kafka: …Only this far. I… can only… go to the rooftop or courtyard of the hospital here.

Kafka: This is as far as I can get from my room… To me, it’s a trip I have to put all my energy into.

Kaede: Kafka…

Kaede: But, but! Once you get that amazing surgery, you’ll be able to go wherever, right!? 

Kaede: You’ll get better, and can go anywhere… We'll be able to make fun trips and play lots together, right?

Kafka: The success of my surgery isn’t 100%.

Kaede: Does that mean it might end up failing?

Kafka: …Whatever it is, it’s still a long way off until the surgery.

Kaede: Kafka—

Kafka: You know, I’m jealous of you, Kaede-chan. Because you can go anywhere, as far as your feet can get you—

Kaede: …Then, Kafka. Once the rain stops, let’s go on a trip. Both of us.

Kafka: Kaede-chan… and me?

Kaede: Yes. Together.

Kafka: …Kaede-chan.

Kaede: Hm?

Kafka: My hand. Don’t let go of it. Keep holding onto it tightly, forever…

Kaede: Yes. I won’t let go.

Kafka: Forever, okay? Even… even when that surgery will happen one day…?

Kaede: I won’t let go. Ever.

Kafka: Promise?

Kaede: Yes, I promise!

Kaede: —-I did make that kind of promise, didn’t I.

Text message from Kafka 

<[Surgery’s over.]

Text message from Kaede

[Eh!?]>

[Surgery!? Over!? What do you mean!?]>

Text message from Kafka 

<[Sorry. The decision came out of nowhere so I couldn’t let you know.]

Text message from Kaede

[How was it?]>

[Kafka?]>

[Did something happen?]>

[Heeeey!!]>

Kaede: –And no reply…

Kaede: But if Kafka himself texted me about it being done, then the surgery must’ve been a success, right.

Kaede: (I said that, but I can’t calm down until I see his face, after all!)

Kaede: Kaf—-

Slender glasses man: DON’T MOOOVEEEEEE!! Please stop where you stand!!

Kaede: Uwoh!?

Slender glasses man: You may not set one foot in this room! There are many such times where unsolved cases have instances of things left unnoticed during the initial investigation. Or not.

Kaede: (Huh, getting a good look at him, it’s Kafka’s butler—)

Kaede: Sakujiro-san? Not letting me in means… this has to be Kafka’s room, right?

Kaede: Did something happen to Kafka….!?

Sakujiro: That—that is what I am investigating at the moment. It’s with utmost regret that I say this, however, but I kindly request for Kaede-san to wait right over there for the moment.

Kaede: Uh… sure?

(Sound of something being unzipped can be heard)

Sakujiro: I am left with no other choice. Fly too close to the sun and your wings will burn, sacrifice your autonomy to artificial intelligence and humanity shall fall…. If possible I wouldn’t have chosen to go this far, but alas… 

Sakujiro: Tututurun!♪

Kaede: Is this another installment of Sakujiro-san’s mystery gadgets?

Sakujiro: Exactamundo, these are the seven hundred seventy seven tools for butlers inherited from generation to generation within the Oguro Family.

Sakujiro: …I believe this one is suitable for our current predicament. A scent detector for the Young Master, the sniffer-licker-woofer!

Sakujiro: This dog-like robot that records Young Master’s scent every single day has the capability to detect what Young Master is doing, what he’s eating, what he’s hiding, and what mutations are happening within the Young Master’s veins.

Kaede: Can it… lick you, too?

Sakujiro: It cannot deliver any licks. Sakujiro will fill in the blanks within his mind palace.

Sakujiro: Now search, it shall. Click click.

Sakujiro: Muh, a response! 36 minutes and 31 seconds ago the Young Master got up from his bed slowly and changed out of his pajamas.

Kaede: He must have— there’s pajamas thrown off to the side here!

Sakujiro: Then he turned around in this spot, and put one single piece of dental gum in his mouth. I can say for certain that the bottle feels one gum lighter than when I checked it earlier this morning.

Kaede: To notice a decrease in weight like that, I’m speechless…! 

Kaede: (Sakujiro-san, as always, has full knowledge of just about everything when it comes to Kafka…)

Sakujiro: Followed by Young Master putting his hand on the door, peering into the hallway, left, right, left and confirming the coast was clear.

Sakujiro: Good heavens, he performed a proper safety check exactly as I, Sakujiro, had taught the Young Master during his boyhood. 

Kaede: In other words, Kafka was being cautious to not be seen when he lefthis room…?

Sakujiro: According to the sniffer-licker-woofer, during that time Young Masters' emotions were excitement and nervousness divided perfectly half and half!

Sakujiro: Thus, at last, starting with his right foot he departed from this room…!

Kaede: …(Gulp)...

Sakujiro: …..

Kaede: So then, where did he….?

Sakujiro: I do not know. Unfortunately, the sniffer-licker-woofer isn’t equipped with functions that are able to deduct that far.

Kaede: You’re kidding me…! Even though it has way too many crazy features!

Sakujiro: Nevertheless, there is one thing I can confirm, which is that we must go search and bring him back posthaste.  

Kaede: Kafka, where did you go… All of this—and right when your surgery was just finished, too…

Sakujiro: .Hm?

Kaede: I heard from him that his surgery was over.

Sakujiro: …I see. 

Sakujiro: Kaede-san, may I request your cooperation? For some reason…

Sakujiro: This is a letter addressed to you... Or rather, something akin to a tape would be more befitting.

Kaede: A cassette tape? And it’s Kafka’s?

Sakujiro: It was lying on the floor under the bed. 

Kaede: Ah, the date on this…

Kaede: (It’s 10 years ago, but it has to be…)

Kaede: Once the rain stops, let’s go on a trip. Both of us.

Kafka: Kaede-chan, and me?

Kaede: Yes. Together.

Kaede: It’s from back then—

Kaede: It’s from back then—

<<previous chapter / next chapter>>

prologue directory: A01 / A02 / A03 / A04 (x) / A05 / A06 / A07 / A08

[82mitsu]

{18Trip} The 18 Questions Corner - Hachinoya Nagi

This is a translation for the 18 questions interview uploaded on the official Youtube channel. I suggest to read this translation alongside it!

Note: P stands for "Player", this series has a voiced male & female character for the player. The interviews are conducted by the male player in this case.

TL note:

Nagi makes a pun on the particla ~ka, with how the sound for crows cawing in Japanese is kaa kaa-! Joke is more or less the same in English in essence, just the target of the punification has been changed.

P: 18 questions for the Tourism Ward Mayors! We look forward to your cooperation!

Kuguri: Mhm, I’ll be in your care.

What’s your name?

Hachinoya Nagi

How old are you?

20 years old.

Tell us about your occupation!

Flower Laundry’s shopkeeper. Flowers and laundry needs are welcomed at my store. 

What’s the first thing you do when waking up in the morning?

Checking the weather… yeah.

Anything you’re particular about with lunch?

I’ll eat anything… food is important. 

What pops up in your mind when it comes to “evening”?

The cawing crows… makes me go, it’s cawlready evening-? …Just kidding.

What’s your routine before bed?

Listening to the radio. 

Where do you start with washing your body?

…My collarbone??

What’s essential when leaving for a trip?

Flowers… I think. 

What do you check before traveling somewhere?

Right… places where the view and air is clean. 

What’s your favorite method of transportation for traveling? 

This isn’t only limited to traveling, but my motorbike is my partner. 

What’s one item you’d bring to a deserted island?

A radio… would be nice to get a signal. 

Please give us some fanservice! 

✧・ﾟ: *Welcome to HAMA, here’s a big hug from the bottom of my heart on the house. *:・ﾟ✧… I guess along these lines. 

Who’s someone you’d lean on for support? 

I am the Night Squad’s leader, so I guess the other Squad leaders… Morning’s Renga, Noon’s Akuta, and Evening’s Raito-san. I can rely on all of them. 

Who would you swap bodies with for a day?

Evening Squad’s Tao… maybe. 

What would you want to do as them?

Become good at games… and try getting that dub. 

Pass on a message to your roommates!

Yodaka-san, you’re such a kind, considerate and capable adult that it’s admirable. Though you fall asleep before I even realize that…  

Tell us from the heart, what’s a “journey” to you? 

I’m not the kind of person that goes out traveling to begin with… so, it’s a “challenge” I guess.

P: Thank you, those were all 18 questions!

Nagi: That was fun. Appreciate your efforts. 

Nagi: HAMA’s 16th Ward Mayor, Hachinoya Nagi. Whenever you want flowers, or want to wash your laundry, my Flower Laundry’s door is always open.